Superman (2025) Box Office Thread

[Moncton]

The numbers in those post were based on the Black Adam comparison.

Here is my actual analysis:

T

Post in thread 'Superman (2025) Box Office Thread'

Jul 14, 2025

I don't think this is a Batman Begins situation. The cinemascore is A- , very good but not great and the same as MOS, and many of the positive critical reviews are 3.5/5 kind of reviews. I know the CBM situation is not great, but not even hitting 100 million total overseas is pretty bad. I am not sure that this actually did all that much to revitalize the DC brand .

I think this is very reactionary and indicative of people being spooked by the Snyder Bros and not paying attention to the actual numbers. It is a fact that the international numbers are soft. A 56/44 dom/int split is...

• TheScarecrow

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• 

I think the indicators are there for it to hold better than The Batman and slightly better than Spider-man domestically, given the lack of competition. I see Superman's final domestic multiplier being 3.something.

I remain unconvinced about the threat of Fantastic Four given the franchise's history, Marvel's current performance and the fact it is a period piece.

Ah, I see. Well, I disagree about the degree to which it can potentially climb for reasons mentioned earlier, but you may be right.

 

[TheScarecrow]

Ah, I see. Well, I disagree about the degree to which it can potentially climb for reasons mentioned earlier, but you may be right.

I could very well be wrong - but I don't accept the doom and gloom narrative from this thread.

This thing dropped just 16% on Sunday domestically. That's a ridiculous hold and indicative of good WOM.

Ultimately we won't know the full picture until next week.

 

[Venom 1988]

I could very well be wrong - but I don't accept the doom and gloom narrative from this thread.

This thing dropped just 16% on Sunday domestically. That's a ridiculous hold and indicative of good WOM.

Ultimately we won't know the full picture until next week.

No one is acting like it's doom snd gloom. Just being realistic with expectations.

 

[Moncton]

I could very well be wrong - but I don't accept the doom and gloom narrative from this thread.

This thing dropped just 16% on Sunday domestically. That's a ridiculous hold and indicative of good WOM.

Ultimately we won't know the full picture until next week.

All I have are negative thoughts - Arthur Fleck/DC fans

 

[Sithborg]

You guys are falling into the same trap as when Superman Returns and MOS came out. Its like history repeating itself. When Superman Returns came out and all was said and done, between the mediocre reviews and box office you all said, nah it's good enough, it'll get a sequel and we'll get bigger numbers and reception there. Singers gonna go all Wrath of Khan. Well it didn't happen and they rebooted. Then Man Of Steel came out and again copium set in. It didn't make what people thought it would and had mixed reception and again it was, nah it's doing good enough to get a sequel and that's where the real money and acclaim will come in. Then we got that BVS crap that scrapped Superman for the most part and made it a Batman movie. Again, never saw a sequel. Now here we are with Superman 25 and you're all saying the same things. Ohh the climates different now, it's this, it's that. As I said before, we've had many chances and no matter the climate or story told or type of Superman put on screen, we have to just admit that Superman is not a thing for people anymore, and hasn't been for a long time. People just aren't interested in a character they see as simplistic and not cool. I've come to this realisation now and I'm ok with it. It had its time and it's passed.

WB is in a very, very different position than it was when Returns came out. Superman is going to be WB's sole blockbuster that is a success that has not had Legendary behind it. And having a success that is purely yours is very important to a studio. Especially when one it looking for a buyer for certain assets. Trusting the public budgets and what the execs say is always a dangerous game. You kind of have to look at the broader picture.

 

[kguillou]

I think everyone is just on edge because so much is riding on this movie that every thing around this movie’s release is under a fine microscope. Everyones nervous that this may not be considered successful enough for Mr Zaslav who’s not afraid to cancel s*** left and right.

But i think everything is just fine. The movie is being received well, its not mired in controversy like DC’s last 17 movies and its going to break even in the theatrical window and nicely profit in all the ancillary avenues.

 

[solidsnake86]

I think the clear difference between this movie and MoS and SR is that this movie seems to be well received. It reminds me more of what happened with Batman Begins.

That said, these statements by the studio read to me as damage control. My hope is that they move forward with an actual sequel or that Gunn is working on a Superman and Supergirl sequel with Brainiac.

 

[donuts]

Italy | MON:

Superman takes the number 1 spot back from JWR and flies by the €2M mark.

1. Superman | €224,713 | Tot. €2,221,924

With a pretty decent hold, too.

 

[DKDetective]

(1) Superman Returns had an astronomical budget. It was never, ever going to be a financial success. It was the most expensive movie ever made in 2006 and had like double the budget of Batman Begins.

(2) Man of Steel was a success and would have had a sequel, but WB jumped the gun and wanted to pivot to Marvel level success, ignoring that MoS was actually a massive winner compared to all Phase 1 Marvel movies other than The Avengers.

(3) Superman has a relatively modest budget for 2025. Box office is softer domestically and increasingly softer internationally for American films. How often do American films make a billion worldwide nowadays? Only 3 films last year. None this year. The market is just different.

Superman is a huge hit for 2025. Studios just need to get their budgets in check.

Irrespective, Man of Steel had like a 68% drop for its second weekend. If Superman truly only drops 50% as WB is predicting, it will leave MoS in the dust.

I agree with most of the above, except number 2. Yes, Marvel wanted that Avengers money, but that wasn't the biggest factor in the pivot. Fundamentally, Man of Steel was not a success. The box office was okay due to front loading, but the dismal reviews and weak legs made it very clear that the movie did not resonate with audiences. That is the biggest factor in why they pivoted.

The 68% second weakend drop you mentioned is a huge deal. That is abysmal and indicative of toxic word of mouth. Why do you think Lucasfilm made such a mess out of Episode 9 trying to pivot away from The Last Jedi. That movie made well over a billion dollars and stellar critical reviews. However, it similarly had a massive second weekend drop that indicates poor word of motion.

If Superman 2025 had a second weekend drop anywhere close to Man of Steel, then people should panic.

 

[donuts]

Yup, the trouble with both Man of Steel and Batman V Superman was that they were both positioned in the best of ways and had great opening weekends, and ultimately faltered under the mixed to poor reception.

And both at the height of the superhero movie craze and the billion dollar blockbuster.

I'm pretty sure things would've gone differently if they didn't do a billy, yet had a solid reception from the moviegoing audience.

The numbers just indicated huge initial turnouts, and then a significant subsequent rejection by the public.

 

[flickchick85]

I agree with most of the above, except number 2. Yes, Marvel wanted that Avengers money, but that wasn't the biggest factor in the pivot. Fundamentally, Man of Steel was not a success. The box office was okay due to front loading, but the dismal reviews and weak legs made it very clear that the movie did not resonate with audiences. That is the biggest factor in why they pivoted.

The 68% second weakend drop you mentioned is a huge deal. That is abysmal and indicative of toxic word of mouth. Why do you think Lucasfilm made such a mess out of Episode 9 trying to pivot away from The Last Jedi. That movie made well over a billion dollars and stellar critical reviews. However, it similarly had a massive second weekend drop that indicates poor word of motion.

If Superman 2025 had a second weekend drop anywhere close to Man of Steel, then people should panic.

Yep, I feel like a broken record by now saying this, but the box office performance matters so much more than the final total. If you have a huge opening and terrible legs, you'll probably arrive at a solid total, but the performance says WOM was toxic and audiences are rejecting your movie.

So fingers crossed for a not-terrible drop this weekend.

 

[Ita-KalEl]

You guys are falling into the same trap as when Superman Returns and MOS came out. Its like history repeating itself. When Superman Returns came out and all was said and done, between the mediocre reviews and box office you all said, nah it's good enough, it'll get a sequel and we'll get bigger numbers and reception there. Singers gonna go all Wrath of Khan. Well it didn't happen and they rebooted. Then Man Of Steel came out and again copium set in. It didn't make what people thought it would and had mixed reception and again it was, nah it's doing good enough to get a sequel and that's where the real money and acclaim will come in. Then we got that BVS crap that scrapped Superman for the most part and made it a Batman movie. Again, never saw a sequel. Now here we are with Superman 25 and you're all saying the same things. Ohh the climates different now, it's this, it's that. As I said before, we've had many chances and no matter the climate or story told or type of Superman put on screen, we have to just admit that Superman is not a thing for people anymore, and hasn't been for a long time. People just aren't interested in a character they see as simplistic and not cool. I've come to this realisation now and I'm ok with it. It had its time and it's passed.

I read exactly the same post about Batman after Batman Begins launch in 2005.
Despite it, a sh movie able to do more than 300m in the US can not be considered a flop in any universe.
I say to wait the end of August. Superman has good chances to be considered the most succesful movie of the Summer.

 

[MAN O STEEL]

I read exactly the same post about Batman after Batman Begins launch in 2005.
Despite it, a sh movie able to do more than 300m in the US can not be considered a flop in any universe.
I say to wait the end of August. Superman has good chances to be considered the most succesful movie of the Summer.

I see people keep using batman begins as an example. Simply not the same thing, sorry. Batman begins had to follow up two very childish, disrespectful, poorly made movies in forever and batman and robin. Those films weren't bad because people were over batman, they're just terrible mistakes that should have never happened. Returns and Man Of Steel treated Superman with a hell of a lot more respect and reverence than those other films and still didn't hit the spot and its because Superman ain't up there anymore in terms of people truly embracing a character. I hate saying it as I love this character more than most things in my life. Been with me as long as I can remember, but it's simply over. He'll always do ok, but only ok. Don't ever expect a resurgence of character lile iron Man got or batman got or spiderman got. Superman is a product of a time when people really needed that character. Those days are gone. The world is so different and it'll never be what it used to be. Atleast not enough to ever truly embrace a character like Superman.

 

[donuts]

 

[Ita-KalEl]

Italy | MON:

Superman takes the number 1 spot back from JWR and flies by the €2M mark.

1. Superman | €224,713 | Tot. €2,221,924

With a pretty decent hold, too.

Not bad at all. Italian public is switching from JW to Superman. Italian market doesn't allow more than a "success" per time anymore. I say that 4.5/5m are still possible.

 

[Ita-KalEl]

I see people keep using batman begins as an example. Simply not the same thing, sorry. Batman begins had to follow up two very childish, disrespectful, poorly made movies in forever and batman and robin. Those films weren't bad because people were over batman, they're just terrible mistakes that should have never happened. Returns and Man Of Steel treated Superman with a hell of a lot more respect and reverence than those other films and still didn't hit the spot and its because Superman ain't up there anymore in terms of people truly embracing a character. I hate saying it as I love this character more than most things in my life. Been with me as long as I can remember, but it's simply over. He'll always do ok, but only ok. Don't ever expect a resurgence of character lile iron Man got or batman got or spiderman got. Superman is a product of a time when people really needed that character. Those days are gone. The world is so different and it'll never be what it used to be. Atleast not enough to ever truly embrace a character like Superman.

I do not agree. Superman had to follow the oversaturation of the market with tons of mediocre/terrible sh movies, a pandemia that destroyed at least 1/3 of the international markets and the end of globalization. China's market is already not relevant anymore for Hollywood as it was 10 years ago.
Despite it we can not understimate the disaster generated by the Justice League movie, IMO, not so far from the level of B&R.

 

[Galactus123]

Batman begins had to follow up two very childish, disrespectful, poorly made movies in forever and batman and robin. Those films weren't bad because people were over batman, they're just terrible mistakes that should have never happened.

I'm glad they exist and we have a modern version of campy Batman. I would watch them over most of DCEU any day.

 

[donuts]

I'm glad they exist and we have a modern version of campy Batman. I would watch them over most of DCEU any day.

I do rewatch them over most of the DCEU, to be honest.

They're dumb, but they're also kinda fun to watch, while at times cringing how dumb they are. But at the same time you wanna hug 'em for how dumb they are, especially B&R.

And they're quite fascinating to watch in 4K, where you can truly appreciate the craftsmanship that went into the visuals and sets, etc.

 

[GreenKToo]

I see people keep using batman begins as an example. Simply not the same thing, sorry. Batman begins had to follow up two very childish, disrespectful, poorly made movies in forever and batman and robin. Those films weren't bad because people were over batman, they're just terrible mistakes that should have never happened. Returns and Man Of Steel treated Superman with a hell of a lot more respect and reverence than those other films and still didn't hit the spot and its because Superman ain't up there anymore in terms of people truly embracing a character. I hate saying it as I love this character more than most things in my life. Been with me as long as I can remember, but it's simply over. He'll always do ok, but only ok. Don't ever expect a resurgence of character lile iron Man got or batman got or spiderman got. Superman is a product of a time when people really needed that character. Those days are gone. The world is so different and it'll never be what it used to be. Atleast not enough to ever truly embrace a character like Superman.

Bvs, JL, AQ2, WW 84.
These are the things the DCU has to overcome.
I'd argue this is worse than what batman had to overcome.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Bvs, JL, AQ2, WW 84.
These are the things the DCU has to overcome.
I'd argue this is worse than what batman had to overcome.

AQ2 I don't think is one they have to overcome. That was actually a more successful later stage DCEU movie. Now, The Flash....THAT they have to overcome

 

[MAN O STEEL]

Bvs, JL, AQ2, WW 84.
These are the things the DCU has to overcome.
I'd argue this is worse than what batman had to overcome.

You honestly in your heart of hearts think Superman 2025 overcoming those specific films is more of an uphill battle than Batman Begins having to overcome a neon coloured Batman wearing ice skates riding the tail of a dinosaur like Fred flinstone?. I'm sorry but as much as I didn't particularly care for most of the DCEU, those films, all the ones you listed were far superior to that absolute monstrosity. I can't believe you wrote that with a straight face, I'm sorry.

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

I get Zaslav and Gunn taking the victory lap for the opening weekend box office, as they should, but those international numbers are horrible and should be nothing to celebrate for WB. I mean, coming under Shazam of all movies? That's awful.

And they can't fall back on 'Well, this is about rebuilding the DC brand' when The Batman did perfectly fine, even in a still early post-covid environment, whereas Fury of the Gods, Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman 2 all underperformed. Superman's solace is not having anything big coming out this week, until Galactus comes for his lunch money the week after.

 

[donuts]

I get Zaslav and Gunn taking the victory lap for the opening weekend box office, as they should, but those international numbers are horrible and should be nothing to celebrate for WB. I mean, coming under Shazam of all movies? That's awful.

And they can't fall back on 'Well, this is about rebuilding the DC brand' when The Batman did perfectly fine, even in a still early post-covid environment, whereas Fury of the Gods, Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman 2 all underperformed. Superman's solace is not having anything big coming out this week, until Galactus comes for his lunch money the week after.

They're not horrible. They're underwhelming. Still not the best possible outcome, but the lack of nuance and grey scales is truly the killer of all conversation.

 

[Ita-KalEl]

Bvs, JL, AQ2, WW 84.
These are the things the DCU has to overcome.
I'd argue this is worse than what batman had to overcome.

There were people laughing at cinema when I saw JL, and not because of the jokes. It was really a disaster.
Regarding Superman's box office if the drop is around 50% we'll start to read different comments all around.

 

[GreenKToo]

You honestly in your heart of hearts think Superman 2025 overcoming those specific films is more of an uphill battle than Batman Begins having to overcome a neon coloured Batman wearing ice skates riding the tail of a dinosaur like Fred flinstone?. I'm sorry but as much as I didn't particularly care for most of the DCEU, those films, all the ones you listed were far superior to that absolute monstrosity. I can't believe you wrote that with a straight face, I'm sorry.

I do, yes. I left MoS out because it was decent and would have been a good starting off point IF Snyder had been replaced.

BvS garbage.
JL beyond garbage.
WW 84. A joke of a film.
AQ 2. It was just there..
Flash. Nuff said.

These films are almost as bad to me as B&R. Some are worse than others.

The JL was just as bad. The Snyder cut was slightly better.

The bottom line is the audience associates the new Superman with the old dceu. They don't know any better.
WOM is what will drive them to see it and help them to see this is NOT the Dceu.