The james gunn superman movie box office began its ascent before the full weekend begins. In Thursday previews, the rebooted Superman pulled in a staggering $22.5 million, smashing records in three key areas: it’s the highest preview day of 2025 so far, the biggest ever for James Gunn and the most for a solo Superman title ever. The previous best preview haul for Gunn was Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 at $17.5 million. That early surge places the film firmly on track toward a historic opening.
The james gunn superman movie box office momentum is undeniable. Warner Bros. had forecast a modest $100 million opening weekend, but tracking from Box Office Theory, Variety, Deadline and others has pushed that to $125–150 million, with many analysts now predicting a domestic total closer to $135 million over Friday through Sunday.
Preview numbers set new benchmarks
The james gunn superman movie box office started with $22.5 million in preview earnings—$19.7 million from Thursday and $2.8 million via Amazon Prime early screenings. That total outpaced Barbie’s $22.3 million and beats the $9 million preview from Man of Steel in 2013. It also ranks in the top five previews ever for Warner Bros., second only to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice at $27.7 million.
That performance boosted projections dramatically:
- Initial conservative estimate: $100 million opening
- Updated range: $125–150 million (incl. $135 million nominal)
- Industry trackers: forecasts rising to $140–150 million+ thanks to positive word of mouth and strong reviews
If those projections hold, the james gunn superman movie box office weekend would surpass Man of Steel’s $116.6 million debut and potentially challenge Batman v Superman’s 2016 $166 million mark.
Audience reaction fuels word‑of‑mouth
Audience buzz is highly encouraging; early Rotten Tomatoes scores hover in the mid‑90s (≈92–95%) and CinemaScore graded it an A‑. That kind of audience enthusiasm often leads to strong legs beyond the opening weekend. Early social media chatter highlights fans praising David Corenswet’s portrayal of Clark Kent and the film’s balance of humor, heart and spectacle.
Critics have also been largely favorable, positioning the film as a fresh, more hopeful take on the Man of Steel myth, compared with the darker tones of earlier DC outings.
Projections table: Domestic opening weekend forecast
| Source / Tracker | Projected Domestic Opening (3‑day) |
|---|---|
| Warner Bros (conservative) | $90–125 million |
| Variety / BoxOfficeTheory | $120–130 million (≈$135M nominal) |
| Box Office Theory latest | $125–150 million |
| Industry analysts (previews) | $140–150 million+ |
Such levels would make Superman the highest non‑children’s opening weekend of 2025 and one of the largest in DC’s history.
What James Gunn says (and what it means)
Despite widespread speculation about huge numbers, James Gunn himself has downplayed pressure. He insists the film does not need to hit figures like $700 million globally to be successful. Instead, he’s framed the project more modestly: make back costs and deliver a strong start for the new DC Universe.
Publicly, DC Studios and Warners have noted the budget lands around $225–225 million, with marketing potentially bringing total spend closer to $400–425 million. Based on earlier reporting, earning $500 million worldwide could be profitable, and $700 million would mark it as a clear success. But Gunn himself says that narrative of sky‑high benchmarks is “utter nonsense.”
Still, industry watchers remain realistic: a global haul near or above $700 million remains the benchmark most use for measuring success.
Key summary: milestones ahead
- Record previews: $22.5 million Thursday via forecasts and early Amazon screenings → top performance in 2025, in Gunn’s career, and for any Superman solo film.
- Projected domestic opening: tracking in the $125–150 million range, with $135 million as nominal forecast.
- Potential milestones: surpass Man of Steel’s $116 million opening; possibly challenge Batman v Superman’s $166 million peak if upper projections hit.
- Global potential: aiming for $500+$ million profitability; $700 million+ would secure blockbuster status.
- Critical & audience buzz: Rotten Tomatoes mid‑90s, CinemaScore A‑, strong word‑of‑mouth supporting post‑opening holds.
Why the james gunn superman movie box office matters
This Superman reboot launches the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran after past DC films underperformed. Its performance will shape the trajectory of upcoming projects like Supergirl (2026), Peacemaker Season 2 and future Justice League movies.
A strong box office opening sends confidence signals to investors and audiences. Conversely, a stumble could reignite questions about DC’s cinematic strategy. So far, early indicators suggest the film is achieving its mission: a commercially strong, critically solid relaunch of a cherished character and a foundation for the DCU.
Final analysis
Early earnings show the james gunn superman movie box office is off to an exceptional start. With record‑setting previews, soaring projections and enthusiastic early audiences, it stands poised to deliver one of the biggest openings of 2025. If the weekend reaches the high end of forecasts, it will mark both a symbolic and financial victory for James Gunn and the new DC Universe.
What remains to be seen is its multiplayer strength globally—and whether it can maintain momentum beyond opening weekend. But for now, the Man of Steel is flying high.
Act now to stay updated on box office progress and key upcoming DCU releases including Supergirl and the next Justice League chapter.