Superman Box Office Beats Man of Steel in Another Major Record

It’s official: James Gunn’s Superman has overtaken Man of Steel at the domestic box office, becoming the top-earning solo Superman movie in U.S. history. In just 18 days since its release on July 11, 2025, the film has pulled in $292.4 million domestically, edging past Man of Steel’s $291 million total.

This isn’t just a win—it’s a statement. Superman’s success puts the spotlight back on the legendary hero and kickstarts the new DC Universe under DC Studios with serious momentum. For Warner Bros., this is the kind of launch they’ve been craving.

James Gunn’s Reboot Hits Hard at Home

Directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as the new Superman, this reboot isn’t just another origin tale. It’s the foundational block for the rebooted DC Universe, and audiences are clearly responding. The film hasn’t just beaten Man of Steel—it’s outperformed all previous Superman solo films in the U.S., including the beloved Christopher Reeve classics and Superman Returns (2006), which topped out at $200 million domestically.

What makes this even more impressive is the speed. Achieving this milestone in less than three weeks shows that American moviegoers are still hungry for the symbol of hope—and maybe for a more hopeful tone overall. Gunn’s Superman is a departure from the grittier, more somber tone of Man of Steel, and that pivot seems to be working.

The International Struggle

But while the domestic numbers shine, Superman’s global box office is telling a different story. Overseas, the film has brought in $214.1 million, bringing the worldwide total to $506.5 million. That’s solid—but still far behind Man of Steel’s $670.1 million global take, which included a robust $379.1 Million from international markets.

So why the dip abroad? James Gunn weighed in during a recent interview, citing geopolitical headwinds:

“We have a certain amount of anti-American sentiment around the world right now. It isn’t really helping us.”

He also mentioned that Superman, as a character, doesn’t have the same brand strength internationally as heroes like Batman or Spider-Man. In short: he’s still an icon, but not everywhere.

This drop in international enthusiasm could cap the film’s global earnings, even if domestic interest remains high. The current numbers show that 57.7% of Superman’s gross comes from the U.S., compared to Man of Steel, where international sales made up 56.6% of the total. Unless that overseas market surges, Superman 2025 likely won’t take the global crown from its predecessor.

Audience and Critical Reception

The good news? Audiences—and critics—seem to love this version of the story. Rotten Tomatoes scores put Superman at 83% from critics and 91% from viewers, compared to Man of Steel’s modest 57% and 75%, respectively.

That positive buzz is fueling word-of-mouth and could give the film longer legs in theaters. For Warner Bros. and DC Studios, this reception is just as crucial as the revenue. They’re not just selling tickets—they’re rebuilding trust in a franchise that’s had its share of turbulence.

What This Really Means

This domestic record shows that, at least in the U.S., Superman still matters. James Gunn has reimagined the Man of Tomorrow in a way that resonates with today’s audiences—less cynical, more sincere. Whether or not it takes the global lead, Superman has already proven it can carry the weight of launching an entire cinematic universe.

Now the big question is: can the next DCU entries match this energy?