Superman (2025) Box Office Thread

[Deck Rickard]

I’m going back and forth on whether it’s my favorite Superman film. 1978 was so formative for me as a fan and just as a person in general. I grew up WORSHIPPING Christopher Reeve and that movie laid the blueprint for this entire genre and deserves so respect. But I can’t deny how happy and giddy this new movie makes me feel when I watch it; it’s a feeling no Superman film has given me before. I just feel so excited for this weird, goofy, Super Friends-inspired universe and where it could go next (and on a personal note, when I was a kid, Super Friends was what got me into Superman even before seeing the Reeve film). So seeing things like the Hall of Justice was so cool.

 

[flickchick85]

Oh it’s easily my favorite Superman film by a country mile. Helps that I never cared for the others lol. Took me nearly 40 years of existence to find one I loved, so I’m thrilled that it has done well and we’re getting more.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Oh it’s easily my favorite Superman film by a country mile. Helps that I never cared for the others lol. Took me nearly 40 years of existence to find one I loved, so I’m thrilled that it has done well and we’re getting more.

Glad to hear it, especially because you’re such a huge Superman fan so it must feel like a breath of fresh air to FINALLY have a Supes movie you love. I really hope Gunn is able to make this saga the ultimate showcase for the Greatest Superhero of All Time. I want Brainiac, Metallo, Mongul and War World, and I think we’re going to get it all.

Unless Skydance swoops in and ****s it all up.

 

[DarkKnight]

Oh it’s easily my favorite Superman film by a country mile. Helps that I never cared for the others lol. Took me nearly 40 years of existence to find one I loved, so I’m thrilled that it has done well and we’re getting more.

You didn't enjoy the original Christopher Reeve film from 1978? I thought the first two OG films were universally loved.

Glad you found this one enjoyable for you though. Especially since you haven't liked any of the others.

 

[DarkKnight]

it is by far not my fav Superman movie, but I'm glad it is doing good. Really hoping Supergirl and Man of Tomorrow is a lot better.

Thats how I feel. Overall, it wasn't for me. But I'm glad many are enjoying it. I'll give the franchise a chance still with other movies in the series and see how it goes from there.

 

[flickchick85]

You didn't enjoy the original Christopher Reeve film from 1978? I thought the first two OG films were universally loved.

Glad you found this one enjoyable for you though. Especially since you haven't liked any of the others.

No it’s a well-made movie, but I fell in love with Superman because of Clark Kent, plain and simple. I love that dork, and his romance with Lois. It’s the entire appeal for me. I can’t love any version where Clark is a total caricature and Lois falls for the god in a cape while treating Clark like he’s not even there. Makes her look incredibly shallow to me and I just can’t root for or buy that romance tbh. So that’s just not the version for me, which is why I’m grateful I grew up Post-Crisis or I may have never fallen in love with the character at all. Though as a fan I’ve certainly been able to find things to appreciate in past incarnations as I’ve pretty much seen them all at this point (except the Ruby Spears cartoon, but I’ll get to it!), Lois & Clark, Superman & Lois and My Adventures with Superman were the screen versions for me until this movie. Though I really do enjoy a lot of Golden Age era stuff where Clark is genuinely just “mild-mannered” and more of a rival to Lois than anything while Superman is a bit more of a d**k to criminals lol…it’s the Silver/Bronze age characterizations I just don’t enjoy so much.

While we didn’t see the beginning of their romance here, I liked that Gunn illustrated Lois was never particularly enamored with Superman. In fact that was clearly the side of Clark she was unsure about. She loved that dorky farm boy, and I bought their relationship hook, line and sinker.

 

[LinesGood]

No it’s a well-made movie, but I fell in love with Superman because of Clark Kent, plain and simple. I love that dork, and his romance with Lois. It’s the entire appeal for me. I can’t love any version where Clark is a total caricature and Lois falls for the god in a cape while treating Clark like he’s not even there. Makes her look incredibly shallow to me and I just can’t root for or buy that romance tbh. So that’s just not the version for me, which is why I’m grateful I grew up Post-Crisis or I may have never fallen in love with the character at all. Though as a fan I’ve certainly been able to find things to appreciate in past incarnations as I’ve pretty much seen them all at this point (except the Ruby Spears cartoon, but I’ll get to it!), Lois & Clark, Superman & Lois and My Adventures with Superman were the screen versions for me until this movie. Though I really do enjoy a lot of Golden Age era stuff where Clark is genuinely just “mild-mannered” and more of a rival to Lois than anything while Superman is a bit more of a d**k to criminals lol…it’s the Silver/Bronze age characterizations I just don’t enjoy so much.

While we didn’t see the beginning of their romance here, I liked that Gunn illustrated Lois was never particularly enamored with Superman. In fact that was clearly the side of Clark she was unsure about. She loved that dorky farm boy, and I bought their relationship hook, line and sinker.

 

[MAN O STEEL]

While we didn’t see the beginning of their romance here, I liked that Gunn illustrated Lois was never particularly enamored with Superman. In fact that was clearly the side of Clark she was unsure about. She loved that dorky farm boy, and I bought their relationship hook, line and sinker.

See I feel It should be both in order to be a good romance. What I mean by that is. Yes, to be a good romance, Lois should absolutely fall in love with Clark for Clark not Superman. She should love the man, not the Super. However she should absolutely be enamoured by Superman because of his sincerity, goodness, world view and his love for people. Not saying she should be in love with Superman, but she absolutely should admire Superman as a person.

 

[flickchick85]

See I feel It should be both in order to be a good romance. What I mean by that is. Yes, to be a good romance, Lois should absolutely fall in love with Clark for Clark not Superman. She should love the man, not the Super. However she should absolutely be enamoured by Superman because of his sincerity, goodness, world view and his love for people. Not saying she should be in love with Superman, but she absolutely should admire Superman as a person.

I don't mind her having a schoolgirl crush as long as she eventually realizes it for what it is and falls in love with Clark for real (a la Lois & Clark), but I just do not buy her falling in love with a guy who drops out of the sky and saves/interacts with her for two minutes every few months and flies off, not when there's a guy she spends hours with every day who embodies all those qualities you just listed.

At any rate, I find the most believable initial reaction to a hero like Superman from someone with Lois's background/personality is one of skepticism, like in this movie. Like, she questions everything and everyone, and he seems too good to be true to her because she's never known anyone that genuinely good. And incidentally, Clark is what helps her see that it is possible. Superman & Lois did it best, imo, where Lois kinda had to be won over by Superman.

 

[Thome216]

Agreed, it's far from being my favourite Superman film, but I enjoyed it and it's pretty inevitable WB are sticking to their gun(ns) on this one.

The fact we are getting a re-visionist take on Supergirl and she is back in the public eye after so long away in live-action, for me is a huge win.

We shall see how all this develops.

Thats how I feel. Overall, it wasn't for me. But I'm glad many are enjoying it. I'll give the franchise a chance still with other movies in the series and see how it goes from there.

If all I get out of this is a good Supergirl movie then I will be happy. Other than that I have very little interest in Man of Tomorrow or Clayface (who the heck is that anyway?!) or this version of the Justice League.
Now, that is right now, and that could change, esp if Gunn's story and directing style matures to leave the goofiness in the realm of Sat Morning cartoons. But at the moment, I don't have much hope for that.

 

[mace1]

SUPERMAN: New Report May Clear Up Whether The First DC Studios Movie Turned A Box Office Profit

Much has been said about Superman's budget, and whether the movie was able to turn a profit, despite it being the year's biggest superhero hit. A new breakdown may set the record straight once and for all.

It's previously been reported that Superman had a $225 million production budget, with an additional $125 million spent on marketing. So, was the reboot a hit?

"Given that films generally split their ticket sales 50-50 with theater owners, this means that Superman’s theatrical net equates to nearly $308 million," Forbes explained in a recent financial breakdown. "The amount, of course, does not reflect any residuals that are being paid out or other miscellaneous expenses associated with the film."

"Even going with the $308 million before taking the other expenses into account," the site continued, "Superman’s net falls below the $350 million Warner Bros. spent on the production of the film and marketing."

So, chances are Superman didn't make a profit from theatrical revenue alone. However, when various ancillary sales, merchandise, Digital, and physical media sales are taken into account—not to mention HBO Max subscriptions—Superman has almost certainly made money for Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios.

https://**************.com/superman...dios-movie-turned-a-box-office-profit-a224175

James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Ends Its Theatrical Run. How Much Did It Make?

“Superman,” starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult, ends its domestic theatrical run after playing on the big screen for 84 days.

www.forbes.com

 

[flickchick85]

SUPERMAN: New Report May Clear Up Whether The First DC Studios Movie Turned A Box Office Profit

Much has been said about Superman's budget, and whether the movie was able to turn a profit, despite it being the year's biggest superhero hit. A new breakdown may set the record straight once and for all.

https://**************.com/superman...dios-movie-turned-a-box-office-profit-a224175

James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Ends Its Theatrical Run. How Much Did It Make?

“Superman,” starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult, ends its domestic theatrical run after playing on the big screen for 84 days.

www.forbes.com

Sorry, but this report is nonsense. There is no "50-50" split with theaters. As someone who has run multiple theaters, I can tell you that's BS. Domestically, there is a scale that varies from movie to movie through negotiations with exhibitors, but roughly 80% of the US box office take for the first couple weeks of the run goes to the studio, and then theaters get a growing percentage of the revenue the longer the movie is in theaters, which is why short theatrical windows are so diabolical on the part of the studios. INTERNATIONALLY, the split is more in favor of the theaters, which is why the domestic take is what the US studios care about most, and what the trades mostly report on. Superman is the 8th highest grossing Warner Bros film domestically of all-time. To put it plainly, if that didn't make a profit, then someone was laundering money.

Forbes is often embarrassing when reporting on Hollywood, not to mention weirdly pro-Snyder skewed for the last several years. I'd never trust anything they have to say on anything DC-related. I'll never forget that article they did in 2023 that totally endorsed that ridiculous #SellTheSnyderverseToNetfix movement.

 

[NotToday]

Forbes is often embarrassing when reporting...

These dudes have a history of bad takes. I stopped paying attention to them years ago.

 

[mace1]

Overseas i read that for years, hollywood studios received approximately 25% of box office revenue from films released in china, a significantly lower share than in most other international markets.
For some others it's 40% to 50% .

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Sorry, but this report is nonsense. There is no "50-50" split with theaters. As someone who has run multiple theaters, I can tell you that's BS. Domestically, there is a scale that varies from movie to movie through negotiations with exhibitors, but roughly 80% of the US box office take for the first couple weeks of the run goes to the studio, and then theaters get a growing percentage of the revenue the longer the movie is in theaters, which is why short theatrical windows are so diabolical on the part of the studios. INTERNATIONALLY, the split is more in favor of the theaters, which is why the domestic take is what the US studios care about most, and what the trades mostly report on. Superman is the 8th highest grossing Warner Bros film domestically of all-time. To put it plainly, if that didn't make a profit, then someone was laundering money.

Forbes is often embarrassing when reporting on Hollywood, not to mention weirdly pro-Snyder skewed for the last several years. I'd never trust anything they have to say on anything DC-related. I'll never forget that article they did in 2023 that totally endorsed that ridiculous #SellTheSnyderverseToNetfix movement.

Forbes are genuinely hilarious. Their attempt to make Frozen 2 look like a flop, all time.

I think it's fair to include marketing. But you also need to consider partnership deals. Plenty of blockbusters pay for marketing in part or even full. But that revenue is rarely factored in. And don't get me started on my way too expensive cup and popcorn newsstand!

 

[flickchick85]

Forbes are genuinely hilarious. Their attempt to make Frozen 2 look like a flop.

I think it's fair to include marketing. But you also need to consider partnership deals. Plenty of blockbusters pay for marketing in part or even full. But that revenue is rarely factored in. And don't get me started on my way too expensive cup and popcorn newsstand!

Marketing is always a factor, but these blockbuster projects always have more ancillary deals than the smaller movies (not to mention tax breaks for tourism revenue etc) that it's kind of impossible to factor it in accurately without being a studio accountant looking at the numbers. The only way to judge whether or not the studio is happy with their numbers is their behavior. After this movie they fast-tracked a sequel that made the co-lead the villain of THIS movie that was already written before the film's release. After the last Superman movie, they jettisoned their previous plans and threw in Batman. I think it's blatantly obvious which one had the profit that made the board happier.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

The chuds were making massive hay out of that article. They want Superman to be a flop so bad that any article that sort of validates the idea is signal boosted.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Marketing is always a factor, but these blockbuster projects always have more ancillary deals than the smaller movies (not to mention tax breaks for tourism revenue etc) that it's kind of impossible to factor it in accurately without being a studio accountant looking at the numbers. The only way to judge whether or not the studio is happy with their numbers is their behavior. After this movie they fast-tracked a sequel that made the co-lead the villain of THIS movie that was already written before the film's release. After the last Superman movie, they jettisoned their previous plans and threw in Batman. I think it's blatantly obvious which one had the profit that made the board happier.

Probably a good sign that it's hell trying to get the 4k.

 

[flickchick85]

Probably a good sign that it's hell trying to get the 4k.

Those domestic legs don't lie! I will die on the hill that the legs are THE best indicator of a movie's actual popularity with the GA, and the streaming numbers/VOD/home media sales just back it up.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Those domestic legs don't lie! I will die on the hill that the legs are THE best indicator of a movie's actual popularity with the GA, and the streaming numbers/VOD/home media sales just back it up.

I do not think streaming numbers are a good indicator. Mainly as a lot of flicks get big numbers because people skipped it in high numbers.

Legs are tricky. It depends on upfront demand. But overall a good indicator on lower (under 150m) opening movies.

 

[flickchick85]

I do not think streaming numbers are a good indicator. Mainly as a lot of flicks get big numbers because people skipped it in high numbers.

Legs are tricky. It depends on upfront demand. But overall a good indicator on lower (under 150m) opening movies.

I actually think barring a few examples, the legs on high-opening blockbusters is also quite telling BECAUSE of upfront demand. When a huge portion of the population sees a movie in the first couple of weeks, then its legs SHOULD drop significantly unless WOM is good enough to get people out to the theaters who don't normally go, or if people who saw it in the opening window liked it enough to pay to see it multiple times, which means they are enthusiastic enough to share with their friends/family when it hits other platforms and make new fans as well.

 

[Spider-Fan]

My issue with factoring in marketing is if we are counting the marketing against the movie, then you need to count tax credits, product placement deals, licensing, etc FOR it. Which whenever these articles do this, they never do. They just say "budget + marketing" and leave it at that. Why film journalism is pretty flawed in recent times

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I actually think barring a few examples, the legs on high-opening blockbusters is also quite telling BECAUSE of upfront demand. When a huge portion of the population sees a movie in the first couple of weeks, then its legs SHOULD drop significantly unless WOM is good enough to get people out to the theaters who don't normally go, or if people who saw it in the opening window liked it enough to pay to see it multiple times, which means they are enthusiastic enough to share with their friends/family when it hits other platforms and make new fans as well.

IMO the better indicator there is sequel success.

 

[Adrian Chase]