James Gunn’s Superman continues to soar at the box office, establishing itself as a defining moment for the DC Universe’s (DCU) reboot. In a remarkable milestone, the 2025 film has officially outperformed Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013) at the U.S. domestic box office—a significant feat for both Gunn and DC Studios.
According to Box Office Mojo, Gunn’s Superman, starring David Corenswet as the latest incarnation of the Man of Steel, has earned $292.4 million domestically and a total of $506.5 million globally as of July 29.
This surpasses Snyder’s Man of Steel, which ended its domestic run at $291 million, though it still lags behind internationally where the 2013 film made $379.1 million. This achievement comes only 18 days into Superman’s theatrical release.
The film marks the formal beginning of Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU timeline and has been met with mostly positive reception, earning an 83% critics’ score and a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. For DC Studios, which saw multiple stumbles in the final years of the DCEU, this box office and critical win is crucial in rebuilding audience trust and excitement.
Despite the U.S. success, Superman faces challenges internationally. Its global earnings of $214.1 million fall short compared to past Superman films, and director James Gunn has attributed this underperformance to growing anti-American sentiment in some international markets.
As a result, it remains uncertain whether the film will surpass the total global earnings of Man of Steel ($670.1 million) or Justice League ($661.3 million). It’s also unlikely to overtake Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which earned $874.3 million globally.
However, Superman (2025) has already outgrossed every solo Superman film in U.S. history, including Christopher Reeve’s iconic 1978 Superman, and Superman Returns (2006). It also holds the highest U.S. box office among solo Superman installments, positioning the film as a true comeback for the franchise.
The film’s blend of hope, optimism, and deep character development seems to have struck the right chord with audiences—something that eluded several recent DC projects. With its heartfelt storytelling and universe-building elements, Superman has reignited enthusiasm for the future of the DCU.
Whether it can maintain momentum in a crowded release calendar—including Jurassic World Rebirth and The Fantastic Four: First Steps—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: James Gunn’s Superman is a domestic triumph and a promising start for DC’s cinematic future.
