In a stunning turn of events at the box office, Superman has soared past another major superhero release, Thunderbolts, showcasing the might of the DC Universe under the direction of James Gunn. Released on July 11, Superman features a talented cast including David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult. The earlier release of Thunderbolts in May, however, boasted an ensemble of MCU stars such as Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, and David Harbour.
Although Thunderbolts received decent reviews and found favor among Marvel aficionados, its overall box office performance was below par for the franchise, especially when compared to other recent releases like Captain America: Brave New World. With a global gross of $382.1 million, the breakdown revealed $189.9 million earned domestically and $192.1 million internationally.
On the flip side, Superman has garnered favorable reviews despite some criticism regarding its political undertones and the lingering dissatisfaction with the DCEU. With a total gross of $406.8 million, including a robust domestic tally of $235 million, it significantly outstrips the film’s international earnings of $171.8 million.
Impact of Superman Surpassing Thunderbolts
The DCU Is Gaining Momentum
The production budget for Superman stands at approximately $225 million, coupled with a marketing budget of $125 million. To break even, the film needed to gross between $450 million and $600 million. Achieving over $400 million in its second weekend alone, Superman is well on its way to meeting this financial goal.
In contrast, Thunderbolts had a relatively modest budget of $180 million, which set its breakeven point around $360 million without accounting for marketing expenses. Including the $100 million allocated for promotion, it needed a minimum gross of $560 million. Unfortunately, while it managed to cover production costs, it fell short of recouping its marketing investment.
Currently, these numbers indicate that Superman has the potential to eclipse Thunderbolts as a more significant success for DC Studios. With a total of $406.8 million, it’s also poised to overtake Captain America: Brave New World, which grossed $415.1 million.
Analysis of Superman’s Box Office Success
While Thunderbolts is likely to maintain its fan base, its performance was lackluster, especially for a film meant to introduce a new faction within the Avengers. Challenges arose, given that many featured cast members had limited recognition, primarily having played supporting roles in past Marvel films.
Superman faced its own uphill battle—revitalizing the DC brand amongst casual audiences after the disarray of the DCEU. Yet, in just two weeks, it has outpaced numerous prior DCEU films. Its ultimate success will now depend on how well ticket sales hold up in the coming weeks, but the initial results are promising.
The momentum gathered by Superman adds an exhilarating chapter to the DCU, signaling a renewed interest in superhero narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. With ongoing engagement from viewers, it’s clear that DC Studios has much at stake and an exciting path ahead.