James Gunn’s Superman continues to exceed expectations at the domestic box office, showing signs of a healthy second weekend following its impressive debut. Current estimates suggest the film will bring in between 55 million and 57 million dollars over the weekend, reflecting a drop of around 55 percent from its opening. This projected hold would mark a solid performance for a high-profile superhero release in today’s market.
Friday’s earnings are expected to reach approximately 15.5 million dollars, setting a strong pace for the weekend. If these numbers hold, Superman will likely remain a key player at the box office despite facing increasing competition in the coming weeks. It could pass more than 230 million domestically by the end of its second weekend.
This performance follows the film’s notable first-week run, which saw Superman gross 177 million dollars domestically, slightly surpassing its initial projection of 175 million dollars. The film’s success was largely driven by strong word of mouth and a positive audience response, positioning it as a contender to surpass 370 million dollars in domestic earnings. Such a milestone could see it overtaking The Batman’s domestic total, a feat that seemed uncertain before its release.
However, the picture has been less favorable overseas. While reviews have been generally positive, Superman has struggled to make a significant impact in several international markets, particularly in China, where its box office performance remains subdued. The film is projected to earn under 10 million dollars there, highlighting a persistent challenge for superhero films in that region. Nonetheless, with robust domestic support, Superman’s worldwide total might still reach around 600 million dollars.
Among recent DC releases, Superman now stands at the forefront in terms of first-week earnings. It opened with a 56 million dollar Friday, closely mirroring the launch of Man of Steel and outpacing The Batman. Its cumulative first-week gross placed it ahead of both films, solidifying its position within the franchise’s stronger performers.
For comparison, here are the first-week totals of recent major DC titles:
- Superman: 177.7 million dollars
- The Batman: 172.5 million dollars
- Man of Steel: 168.8 million dollars
- Wonder Woman: 147.8 million dollars
Looking ahead, Superman will face fresh competition with the release of Fantastic Four next week, followed by several notable films as the summer box office heats up. Jurassic World, for example, is tracking for a solid 45 percent second-week drop, while the F1 Movie is showing remarkable stability with a possible 25 percent decline. These performances suggest a strong overall market heading into August.
Superman’s success is critical for DC Studios as it launches its new narrative initiative, Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. Directed and written by James Gunn, the film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The story centers on Superman’s efforts to affirm his place as humanity’s protector while contending with a targeted media smear campaign orchestrated by Lex Luthor.
As the film expands into more theatres for its second week, its future box office trajectory will depend on its staying power amid growing competition. With early signs pointing toward resilience, Superman may yet become a standout success in a summer season crowded with high-profile releases.
