As of its third weekend in theaters, James Gunn’s Superman is the highest-grossing superhero film of 2025. Intended to launch the new DC Universe, it stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, Edi Gathegi, Isabela Merced, Sara Sampaio, and Skyler Gisondo, among others.
Previously, Superman’s gross passed that of Thunderbolts* last weekend. Over its theatrical run, Thunderbolts* made $382.1 million worldwide. Comparatively, Superman is currently at $472.4 million globally, with $271.7 million domestically and $200.7 million. This total also puts it above Captain America: Brave New World, which grossed $415.1 million total.
Whether or not Superman will keep this title depends on how The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which was released on July 25, 2025, performs. The latest MCU film sits at $57 million domestically and $106 million worldwide.
What The Superman Box Office Update
Aside from outgrossing the other superhero films of 2025 so far, Superman has approached its breakeven point. In order to recoup its budget, the DC film has to at least double its production budget.
With production costs of $225 million, Superman has surpassed its breakeven point of $450 million. However, factoring in its $125 million marketing costs, it will need to make $600 million.
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In contrast, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has a reported budget of $200 million and a breakeven point of $400 million, not counting marketing costs. Its opening weekend is projected to gross $125 million, putting it on par with Superman.
Our Take On Superman’s Box Office Update
It is difficult to tell how the box office race between Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps will turn out. Both come from well-established superhero properties and have a complicated cinematic history. Additionally, Superman isn’t performing as strongly globally, with 42% of its overall gross coming from overseas compared to The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ 46%.
Before the release of Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Gunn addressed their future box office showdown. The director felt both films had room to thrive, stating: “There’s room for us both! I love my friends at Marvel. You can find whatever discussions you’d want to find online. I’d focus on all the positivity around the films instead of getting sucked up in online fan wars.“
In all likelihood, both films will hit their breakeven point, but may have varying degrees of success based on several factors. Superman’s continued success will rely on sales holding weekend to weekend, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps will also need to maintain its early momentum.
For either film, overseas performance could make the difference. Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps both have baggage, as the DCU is a new reboot of a failed franchise and the MCU has been in decline overall.
As such, they are on a level playing field in terms of audience perception. Regardless, Superman currently holds the title of top superhero movie of 2025, and even if The Fantastic Four: First Steps surpasses it, the film is already a modest hit for DC Studios.
Superman
9/10
- Release Date
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July 11, 2025
- Runtime
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130 minutes
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