Superman soared to the top of the domestic box office this weekend, pulling in $122 million over its first three days. For Warner Bros. (NYSE: WBD), this isn’t just a win for the studio, it’s a much-needed boost for the DC brand and the superhero genre, which has been facing fatigue and skepticism from both critics and moviegoers in recent years. But how does Superman’s debut compare to the other box office giants of 2025? And what does this say about the state of the movie business halfway through the year?
In 2025, the $100 million opening weekend is a rare feat. Superman is only the third film this year to cross that threshold, joining Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Warner Bros.’ A Minecraft Movie. These three films are in a league of their own, with no other release managing to break the nine-figure mark in their first weekend. For context, Captain America: Brave New World, another high-profile release, opened with $88.8 million, and Jurassic World Rebirth came close with $92 million, but neither managed to hit $100 million.
A Minecraft Movie currently holds the crown for the biggest opening of 2025, debuting with $162.8 million. Lilo & Stitch follows with $146 million, making Superman’s $122 million start the third highest of the year. This puts Superman ahead of major franchises like Jurassic World and Captain America, both of which have historically been reliable box office draws.
Superman’s opening is significant for several reasons. First, it’s the largest debut for a solo Superman film, beating out previous iterations and giving DC Studios a much-needed hit. The movie’s success comes at a time when superhero films have struggled to match the highs of the previous decade. Marvel’s releases in 2025 have not reached the same box office heights, and even the latest Captain America film fell short of the $100 million mark.
James Gunn, who directed and wrote Superman, has been credited with breathing new life into the franchise. The film’s tone, which emphasizes a more human and vulnerable Superman, seems to have resonated with audiences. Early exit polls showed 68% of ticket buyers were male, with a strong turnout from the 18 to 34 demographic. Critics and audiences have responded positively, with the film earning an A- CinemaScore and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Looking at the numbers, it’s clear that Superman stands out, but it’s also part of a broader trend. The top three openers of 2025 are all family-friendly or franchise-driven films. No other film has managed to break $100 million, and the gap between these and the next tier of releases is significant.
For Warner Bros., Superman’s performance is a clear signal that audiences are still hungry for big, tentpole superhero movies, provided they offer something fresh. The film’s global haul is also impressive, with $217 million in worldwide ticket sales over the same period. This is a strong result for the studio, which has been looking to reestablish DC as a powerhouse after a string of underwhelming releases.
The success of Superman also suggests that, despite talk of superhero fatigue, audiences will still turn out for the right film. The challenge for studios will be to deliver stories and characters that feel relevant and engaging, rather than relying solely on brand recognition.
With half the year still to go, it remains to be seen if any upcoming releases can challenge the top three. For now, Superman’s $122 million debut is a reminder that even in a changing movie landscape, some heroes can still draw a crowd.
