This weekend marks the highly anticipated release of Superman, the inaugural film in Peter Safran and James Gunn's revitalized DC Studios Phase I, aptly titled “Gods and Monsters.” The pressure on this film is immense, as it sets the tone for the grand vision that Safran and Gunn have crafted since Warner Bros Discovery restructured its approach to the DC franchise. This strategic move has effectively isolated DC from the main Warner Bros Motion Picture Group, mirroring the successful model established by Marvel within Disney.
In a remarkable display of confidence, James Gunn has taken on the roles of writer, director, and producer for Superman, igniting a new era for DC after the darker tones set by Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan. Following a rousing premiere in Hollywood earlier this week, the film has garnered an impressive 85% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This positive reception is a promising sign for those at the Burbank lot, alleviating some of the stress surrounding the film’s launch.
Industry insiders predict that Superman will achieve a global opening of at least $200 million, launching across 60,000 screens worldwide, with an even split between domestic and international markets. In the U.S., presales have already reached $20 million, outpacing Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ($118.4 million) but falling short of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ($106.1 million). Estimates indicate that the film could debut with a domestic box office of $115 million to $130 million, bolstered by its strong reviews.
The current reviews of Superman are significantly more favorable than those for Snyder’s Man of Steel (57% rotten), Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (23%), and Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns (72%). The film's high rating is comparable to that of the iconic 1978 Richard Donner Superman, which starred Christopher Reeve. This positive critical reception is crucial for attracting adult audiences to this latest incarnation of the beloved superhero.
Superman will commence its major territory rollout starting Wednesday, with screenings in France, Italy, and Korea. Thursday will see the addition of Germany, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico, followed by the UK, Spain, China, and Japan on Friday. The film will be available in a total of 78 territories, with expectations that the UK, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, France, and Germany will be among the top-performing markets.
The marketing strategy for Superman has been extensive, including notable appearances at events in Rio and London, where an impressive 11-foot Superman sculpture was displayed atop The Shard. The excitement continues tonight with the first of the sold-out Amazon Prime member screenings, starting at 7 p.m. Previews will ramp up on Thursday, with 3,400 locations participating, increasing to 4,000 by Friday, creating a substantial U.S./Canada footprint of 10,000 screens.
The Superman franchise holds a prestigious place in cinematic history, being recognized as the father of superhero movies. The original film grossed $134.4 million domestically and $300.4 million worldwide, without adjusting for inflation. It was a part of the early blockbuster era, joining the ranks of films like Jaws and Star Wars. The sequel, Superman II, also performed well upon its release in 1981, earning $14.1 million on opening weekend and achieving an impressive $216.3 million globally. However, subsequent installments struggled to capture audience interest, leading to a decline in the franchise's popularity.
After a period of underperformance, Man of Steel in 2013 marked a resurgence for the franchise, opening with $116.6 million domestically and concluding its run with $670.1 million worldwide. This success laid the groundwork for Henry Cavill’s Superman to appear in subsequent films, including Batman v. Superman, which still holds the record for the highest opening for a Superman film at $166 million domestically.
With the launch of Superman this weekend, fans and industry analysts alike are eager to see if this film can successfully reinvigorate the franchise and set the stage for a promising future under the stewardship of Safran and Gunn.
