In a year filled with highly anticipated superhero releases, James Gunn’s Superman has soared past expectations, becoming the first superhero film of 2025 to cross the $600 million milestone worldwide. The movie, which officially stands at $604.5 million globally, has positioned itself as the defining superhero blockbuster of the year.
What makes this feat even more impressive is that much of the revenue has been generated from North American theaters, highlighting Superman’s overwhelming domestic dominance compared to its international performance. Gunn himself has commented on this surprising outcome, noting cultural differences and marketing strategies as possible reasons why Superman is outshining other superhero films domestically rather than globally.
Superman’s Record-Breaking Box Office Run
Superman has been a headline-grabber ever since its release. Despite an early announcement of its digital release on August 15, 2025—just over a month after its theatrical debut—the film has continued to perform remarkably well in cinemas. James Gunn explained that the early home release was strategically tied to the upcoming Peacemaker Season 2 on HBO Max, which directly follows the events of Superman.
Even with its availability on digital platforms, audiences are still flocking to theaters to witness the Man of Steel on the big screen. This dual availability has not slowed down its theatrical momentum. On the contrary, Superman has managed to break several records, most notably becoming the highest-grossing Superman film in U.S. history, earning $347 million domestically.
For comparison, Zack Snyder’s 2013 film Man of Steel, which introduced Henry Cavill as Superman and launched the DCEU, earned $291 million domestically. Internationally, however, Snyder’s film had the upper hand, collecting $379.1 million overseas for a worldwide total of $670.1 million. While Gunn’s Superman may not surpass that global benchmark, it has undoubtedly surpassed Snyder’s film in terms of domestic cultural impact and box office power.
The Closest Rival: Fantastic Four Inches Toward $500 Million
On the Marvel side, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is attempting to make its mark but is trailing behind Superman by a considerable margin. After its fifth weekend in theaters, the film has accumulated $257.3 million domestically and $232.8 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to $490.1 million.
While these numbers are strong on paper, they fall short of the hype surrounding Marvel’s first Fantastic Four installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Critics and fans alike have described its performance as “disappointing” when compared to Marvel’s usual standards. Still, First Steps has already outperformed Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts, which were considered underwhelming box office entries for Marvel.
Marvel Studios, however, is already looking ahead. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday lined up for 2026, First Steps is being positioned as a stepping stone toward much larger events in the MCU timeline. Its slightly lower-than-expected commercial run may be softened by the fact that its narrative directly connects to these future juggernauts.
A Clear Victory for Superman in 2025
What sets Superman apart this year is not just the numbers but the timing. With no other major superhero films scheduled for release in 2025 from either the DCU or MCU, Superman has a clear runway to dominate the superhero box office crown for the rest of the year.
This success also cements James Gunn’s ability to reshape DC’s cinematic landscape after years of uneven performances under the previous DCEU. Superman has proven to be a strong launchpad for Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe, giving fans renewed confidence in the direction of DC’s films.
Other Box Office Highlights of 2025
While Superman and The Fantastic Four dominate the superhero conversation, other genres have made impressive waves in 2025’s box office race.
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Brad Pitt’s F1 has quietly emerged as a global hit, currently standing at $603.4 million worldwide, putting it nearly neck-and-neck with Superman. This represents a huge success for Apple, which has been pushing more aggressively into theatrical distribution.
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Zach Cregger’s Weapons, a horror-thriller, has been another standout story. After three weekends, the film has pulled in $115.9 million domestically and $199.4 million worldwide. Critics have widely praised it, with IGN giving it a 9/10 review, describing it as “a horror blockbuster that blends unbearable tension with dark humor.” Its reputation as a sharp, intelligent horror entry has helped it sustain strong word-of-mouth buzz.
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Meanwhile, Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters surprised many by becoming a theatrical hit after already dominating the streaming space. While Netflix does not officially release box office numbers, early reports of sold-out screenings worldwide suggest that the film may have been the highest-grossing release over its opening weekend. If confirmed, it would be a rare theatrical triumph for Netflix.
What Superman’s Success Means for the DCU
The success of Superman represents more than just a financial win. It demonstrates that audiences are willing to embrace a fresh start for the DC Universe after years of mixed reception. By balancing nostalgic respect for the Superman legacy with a modern storytelling approach, James Gunn has managed to revitalize one of cinema’s most iconic superheroes.
Industry analysts believe this could mark a turning point for DC films, showing that with the right creative leadership and marketing strategy, DC can compete head-to-head with Marvel again. The strong box office numbers also indicate that fans are open to Gunn’s long-term vision, which is expected to expand with upcoming titles across both film and television.
Final Thoughts
As of now, Superman stands tall as the biggest superhero film of 2025, comfortably ahead of its Marvel rival The Fantastic Four. With a global total already exceeding $604.5 million, and no significant competition in sight, it is poised to remain at the top through the end of the year.
The Fantastic Four may still cross the $500 million mark, but the clear winner of this year’s superhero showdown is Superman. For James Gunn, this victory represents not just box office glory but also a successful relaunch of DC’s cinematic universe—one that fans are watching with eager anticipation.
In a year where superhero fatigue has been a growing concern, Superman has proven that the right story, director, and execution can still bring audiences back in massive numbers. The Man of Steel has once again taken flight, and it looks like the DCU is finally soaring with him.
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