Summary
Things are already looking up for Warner Bros. and DC Studios asSupermanis kicking off the new DC Universe in style. Perhaps “in style” isn’t the best way to describe the adventures of Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel sure is bringing in a whole lot of money.
TheDC Universe (DCU)technically began last year whenCreature Commandosbegan airing on the newly re-renamed HBO Max in December, but there is no doubt thatSupermanis serving as the true kick-off point for the fledgling multimedia franchise/shared universe. With projects likeSupergirl,Lanterns, andClayfacequickly coming down the pike, everyone has been wondering howSupermanwould bereceived by critics and audiences alike. After all, Warner Bros. has been in this situation before about a decade ago. 2013’sMan of Steelwas the first entry of the DCEU, but 2016’sBatman v. Superman: Dawn of Justicewas the film that introduced multiple heroes and set the stage for the Justice League at large. Unfortunately,Dawn of Justicebombed with critics and failed to make the amount of money WB was hoping for, meaning the DCEU was on shaky ground almost from the very beginning. Not wanting a repeat of past events, DC and WB had to be wary aboutSuperman’s production and eventual release.
Deadlineis reporting thatSupermanis currently looking at bringing in around $115-121 million at the domestic box office, blowing past Marvel’s 2025 offerings thus far.NeitherThunderbolts*norCaptain America: Brave New Worldmanaged to break $90 million during their opening weekends, let alone breaking into the triple digits.Assuming audiences keep showing up for the rest of the weekend,Supermanwill be the first DC film to gross over $100 million at the domestic box office since 2017’sWonder Woman.Not too shabby for the first entry in an entirely new franchise.
Box Office Numbers Are Looking Good For James Gunn’sSuperman
Time Will Tell How High It Can Soar
While it is unclear if audiences will continue toshow up for more DCUfilms followingSuperman’s success, the newest outing for the Man of Steel does a lot to set the stage for the franchise’s future. For instance, the film directly ties in toLanterns,Supergirl,Creature Commandos, andPeacemaker. It introduces the so-called “Justice Gang,” featuring Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific. The film shows the still-in-construction Hall of Justice. Near the end of the movie, an exit sign shows thatGotham City isn’t too far from Metropolis. All of this is to say that the foundation for the future of the DCU has been set.
The DCU’s first true test of viability will come whenSupergirlandClayfacehit theaters next year. Superman is one of the most popular superheroes on the planet, up there with the likes of Batman and Spider-Man. Positive reviews all but ensured thatSupermanwould put butts in seats this weekend. People have been looking forward to this movie and its more hopeful take on the Man of Steel for a while now. Will audiences actually show up for movies based on Kal-El’s cousin and one of Batman’s lesser-known villains? Who knows?
None of that matters at the moment asSupermanrakes in the big bucks and DC Studios takes a victory lap.
Superman
Cast
Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.' rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill’s departure from the role, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.”
