Warner Bros. recently premiered its latest superhero film, "Superman," marking a significant entry in the new DC cinematic universe under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. The film opened with $22.5 million from preview showings, making it the third-highest Thursday performance for a DC superhero film, following "The Dark Knight Rises" and "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice." Notably, this figure represents the best preview numbers ever for a Superman film, surpassing the $9 million from "Man of Steel" in 2013.
Industry analysts suggest that "Superman" could gross between $130 million and $140 million during its opening weekend, which would position it favorably against past DC releases. For context, "Man of Steel" earned $116 million in its debut weekend, while Matt Reeves’ "The Batman" made $134 million last year. The early buzz around "Superman" indicates strong potential, particularly with families likely to introduce younger audiences to the character.
Gunn and Safran, who took charge of Warner Bros. Discovery's DC film and television unit in late 2022, have outlined a 10-year strategy aimed at revitalizing the studio’s superhero franchises. "Superman" is the first theatrical release stemming from their new direction, following several successful television projects on HBO Max.
Critics have responded positively to the film, with an 83% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting it may signal a tonal shift in the DC universe from darker themes to more hopeful narratives. The success of this film could play a crucial role in shaping the future of the DC brand.