Superman has soared past five DCEU films in box office sales within just its first three days in theaters. James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe has taken off impressively, with David Corenswet’s portrayal proving just as thrilling as fans hoped. The response from both critics and audiences has been overwhelmingly positive—which is a refreshing change for DC.
As the DCEU wound down, several films struggled to find their footing, often hampered by mixed reviews and underwhelming box office returns. However, Superman has already surpassed the performance of five DCEU films after only its opening weekend. With stellar word-of-mouth and a riveting ending that teases the future of the DCU, this film seems poised to keep climbing.
According to The Numbers, Superman‘s global box office stands at $220 million as of this writing. This figure nearly brings the DCU’s inaugural film to its reported budget of $225 million. Following its opening weekend, Superman has notably outperformed five previous DCEU releases: Blue Beetle, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, and Birds of Prey.
Understanding Superman’s Box Office Success in Relation to the DCEU
A Strong Debut for James Gunn’s Superman
It was always anticipated that Superman would eclipse the DCEU’s lowest performers, kicking off Gunn’s new DCU with a bang. Anticipation was high, especially as the film’s trailer broke records for both DC and Warner Bros. Discovery well before its release. It’s worth noting that some prior DCEU installments were adversely affected by the COVID pandemic.
|
The DCEU’s Lowest-Grossing Movies (& Superman) |
|
|---|---|
|
Movie |
Box Office Total |
|
Blue Beetle |
$130,841,501 |
|
Shazam! Fury of the Gods |
$134,221,819 |
|
The Suicide Squad |
$168,717,425 |
|
Wonder Woman 1984 |
$169,601,036 |
|
Birds of Prey |
$205,358,461 |
|
Superman |
$220,000,000 |
Gunn’s The Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman 1984 faced unique challenges as they were released both in theaters and on streaming simultaneously, affecting their overall earnings. Additionally, Birds of Prey struggled due to the pandemic’s impact on its theatrical run. Still, Superman‘s $220 million global debut stands out as a testament to audience enthusiasm for the reimagined DC Universe, which has found its footing after the disappointing end of the previous series.
Superman exemplifies the promising future of the new DCU. With a sequel likely on the horizon, and intriguingly, no sequel hinted at in the film’s post-credits scenes, there’s ample opportunity for future storytelling to build upon this solid foundation.
Our Perspective on Superman’s Impressive Opening Weekend
I’m not surprised by Superman surpassing the total box office of the DCEU’s five most significant failures so quickly. It’s evident that this is a new era for DC, one embraced with enthusiasm by fans and critics alike. Based on its strong opening and positive word-of-mouth, Gunn’s Superman is likely to ascend above many of its DCEU predecessors.
As we look forward, the film not only revitalizes the franchise but also paves the way for fresh narratives steeped in the potential that Superman has unwrapped. For those wanting to catch every Easter egg, check out Superman and its many connections to the DC comic lore.
Source: The Numbers