James Gunn's Superman reboot earned a staggering $56.5 million on its opening day in North America. This figure makes it the second-highest opening of 2025, just behind A Minecraft Movie's $57.1 million. This success solidifies Superman's position as a major draw for summer moviegoers.
Superman Movie Opening
Superman premiered on Friday, July 11, 2025, in 4,135 theaters in the United States and Canada. On its opening day, the domestic total reached $56.5 million, including Thursday night previews. Prior to that, Amazon Prime members-only previews added an additional $22.5 million, giving the film a strong opening.
Compared to major films in 2025, Superman was only slightly behind A Minecraft Movie ($57.1 million). This achievement surpassed the debut of Lilo & Stitch ($55.9 million) and Jurassic World Rebirth, which earned $11.3 million on its opening day. Amidst stiff competition, Superman managed to capture audiences' attention thanks to heavy advertising and the already well-known DC franchise.
Supporting Factors for Success
Warner Bros. and DC Studios ran an aggressive marketing campaign six months before release. Trailers highlighted Superman's spectacular action sequences, while social media was filled with character teasers. The decision to broadcast exclusive promos on streaming platforms and the official YouTube channel also fueled audience curiosity.
Superman is available in IMAX, Premium Large Format (PLF), and 3D in some theaters. While ticket prices are higher, the larger capacity and immersive visual experience boost overall revenue. Audiences are willing to pay more for the thrill of flying with Superman and the thunderous sound effects.
Audience and Critic Response
According to CinemaScore, Superman earned an "A-" from audiences on its opening day. This result is on par with Man of Steel (2013) and higher than Superman Returns (2006). Meanwhile, Rotten Tomatoes recorded a critics' score of 82% and an audience score of 93%, indicating a balance between critical acclaim and public enthusiasm.
David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman received praise for his charismatic performance. Rachel Brosnahan portrayed the intelligent and courageous Lois Lane. Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor was considered successful in showcasing the dark side of the antagonist without losing the satirical humor. The interaction between the three main characters added a new dimension to the DC universe.
Future Projections and Impacts
Based on preliminary data, analysts project Superman will gross around $120–122 million during its domestic opening weekend. If confirmed, this figure would place Superman among the highest-grossing superhero opening weekends in the post-pandemic era. This success opens the door for sequels and spin-offs from other characters within the DC Studios universe.
Superman's commercial and critical success provides crucial capital for DC Studios to plan its next phase. The Supergirl film project, the Green Lantern series, and crossover plans with other DC characters are now firmly in place. Warner Bros. is expected to accelerate production and increase marketing budgets for these upcoming titles.
Conclusion
Superman scored an impressive $56.5 million opening day, making it the second-highest opening of 2025. Strong branding, a premium viewing format, and positive audience and critical response significantly contributed to this achievement. Weekend projections indicate the potential to surpass $120 million, while this success ushers in a new era for the DC universe under the direction of James Gunn. For superhero fans, Superman is not only a spectacular action film, but also a milestone in the revival of the DC franchise on the big screen.
