It appears that superhero movies are making a strong comeback at the box office. Following the exhilarating success of Superman, which opened to a staggering $122 million domestically just a few weeks ago, the latest Marvel installment, Fantastic Four: First Steps, has edged ahead, albeit by a narrow margin. The competition was fierce, with both films achieving impressive numbers in their opening weekends.
While Superman generated an outstanding $122 million in its domestic opening weekend, it fell slightly short on the international front, bringing in $95 million from 78 countries. In contrast, Fantastic Four: First Steps managed to secure $118 million in the United States but outperformed Superman internationally with a remarkable $100 million worldwide. These numbers illustrate just how closely matched these two superhero blockbusters are, with a combined total of $218 million for Fantastic Four and $217 million for Superman. Both Marvel and DC can take solace in the fact that their latest offerings are resonating with audiences.
In the wake of Superman's release, director James Gunn has shared insights regarding its underwhelming international performance. He speculated that "anti-American sentiment" might have influenced foreign box office results, along with the notion that Superman may not hold the same recognition as iconic figures like Batman in certain regions. However, with both superhero films achieving remarkably similar earnings, it raises questions about whether the issue lies with Superman specifically or the superhero genre as a whole.
Despite its international challenges, Superman continues to thrive. After three weekends in theaters, it has surpassed the half-billion mark, amassing a remarkable $502,701,478, with a significant portion of that total coming from the domestic market. On the other hand, 54 percent of Fantastic Four's overall earnings originated from U.S. audiences, highlighting a similar trend between the two films.
The primary concern surrounding international sales is the implication that lower overseas earnings could affect the overall profitability of these films. Historically, the domestic proportion of total box office revenue ranges from 32 to 50 percent for the year's biggest hits. For instance, F1: The Movie, featuring Brad Pitt, garnered only 32 percent of its $510 million in the U.S. Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning has reached $592 million, with just 33 percent from American audiences. Even Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts managed to secure over 50 percent of their earnings from international markets.
As industry insiders ponder the reasons behind the disparity in international audience turnout, the future of Fantastic Four: First Steps remains a topic of intrigue. Given that it is a relatively lesser-known property among non-comics readers, it will be fascinating to see if it maintains its momentum similar to Superman. Remarkably, Fantastic Four has already claimed the title of the 13th biggest film of the year within just a few days of its release, indicating a promising trajectory.
In conclusion, the superhero movie landscape is witnessing a resurgence, with both Superman and Fantastic Four: First Steps achieving significant box office success. As the industry analyzes audience behavior and box office trends, fans eagerly await the next chapters in these beloved franchises.