According to Box Office Mojo, the film has earned $235 million domestically and $171.8 million internationally, totaling $406.8 million worldwide. This puts it ahead of Thunderbolts ($383 million) and likely to overtake Captain America: Brave New World ($415 million) in the coming days. Experts consider this a significant turning point for DC Studios amidst waning audience interest in superhero films.
In recent years, DC has lost ground at the box office due to a lack of direction in its cinematic universe. Inconsistent film quality, with some entries like Wonder Woman 1984 and Black Adam receiving negative reviews, disappointed audiences and critics. Pressure from Marvel's success, coupled with internal production and legal issues, further compounded DC's struggles.
However, Superman faces potential competition from Marvel's upcoming blockbuster, Fantastic Four: First Steps, premiering on 25/7. With an expected opening weekend of $100-110 million in North America, the film is anticipated to secure numerous Imax screenings, a factor that significantly contributed to Superman's success.
Superman unfolds in a world rife with conflict. The alien protagonist strives to integrate into human society disguised as journalist Clark Kent. According to the Hollywood Reporter, director James Gunn's fresh approach, combined with a blend of family dynamics and action, has generated positive word-of-mouth.
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Characters in Superman, from left to right: villain Lex Luthor (played by Nicholas Hoult), Superman (David Corenswet), and Krypto the Superdog. Photo: DC Studios |
At the North American box office, Jurassic World: Rebirth maintained momentum in its third week, adding $23.4 million for a global total of $647 million. I Know What You Did Last Summer followed in third place with $13 million, reaching $24.6 million globally.
In fourth place, the musical Smurfs earned $11 million domestically, with a global total of around $36 million. Despite its star-studded voice cast, the film lacked visual and musical appeal, failing to make a mark during the summer movie season. Rounding out the top 5 is the F1 movie starring Brad Pitt. After four weeks, the project has earned $153.6 million in North America and $307.2 million internationally, totaling $460.8 million.
Experts suggest that by mid-July, global box office trends indicate a shift in audience preferences: moviegoers remain receptive to blockbusters, provided they offer compelling narratives and innovative approaches. The success of Superman, the resilience of Jurassic World's seventh installment, and F1 demonstrate that studios still have opportunities to revitalize established franchises.
Que Chi (via Variety, Hollywood Reporter)
