James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Box Office: Tracked $135M Opening

The highly anticipated launch of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe is taking shape, with early box office tracking for their flagship film, Superman, pointing towards a strong domestic debut. With approximately three weeks remaining until its theatrical release, the movie is currently tracking for an opening weekend in the $135 million range in the United States.

This initial projection comes from leading industry tracking service National Research Group (NRG), according to sources with access to the data. NRG’s specific forecast range for the film’s domestic opening is cited as between $125 million and $145 million.

Where Does $135 Million Stack Up?

If Superman hits this $135 million mark, it would land high on the list of DC film openings, signaling a significant start for the new era. However, it would open below the $166 million domestic debut of 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (not adjusted for inflation). Conversely, this figure represents a comfortable leap over the last solo Superman film, Zack Snyder’s 2013 movie Man of Steel, which opened to $116 million.

Looking at other major DC entries, a $135 million opening would place Gunn’s Superman just behind Christopher Nolan’s final two Batman blockbusters, The Dark Knight Rises ($160.9 million) and The Dark Knight ($158.4 million). It would position the film ahead of recent releases like 2022’s The Batman ($134 million) and 2016’s Suicide Squad ($133.7 million) based on unadjusted figures.

Varying Estimates and Market Context

While the $135 million figure is the prominent tracking number, box office projections are far from an exact science, and estimates for Superman‘s potential range widely. Insiders at DC Studios and Warner Bros. are reportedly taking a more conservative stance, internally projecting an opening between $90 million and $125 million. On the more optimistic side, some box office experts monitoring social media buzz speculate the film could potentially soar higher, possibly reaching up to $175 million, which would surprisingly make it DC’s biggest opening weekend to date, surpassing Batman v Superman.

This variance in tracking isn’t unusual, especially weeks out from release. Some analysts note that metrics like “first choice” interest currently show the film trailing some previous superhero hits at this stage, contributing to the more cautious forecasts. However, overall brand awareness for Superman remains exceptionally high. The market itself is dynamic; while recent original animated films like Elemental had modest starts before becoming sleeper hits, major IP like Inside Out 2 have shown the potential for massive, record-breaking theatrical success, underscoring audience appetite for compelling stories on the big screen. Experts suggest that Superman‘s ultimate performance could depend heavily on positive reviews and audience word-of-mouth following its debut.

A Crucial Moment for the DC Universe

This new Superman film isn’t just another superhero movie; it’s the foundational piece for the revitalized DC Universe under the guidance of Gunn and Safran. As their first major “homegrown” theatrical release, its success is seen as vital for setting the tone and trajectory for future projects within the interconnected DC storyline they are building.

Scheduled for a North American release on July 11th, timed with its global debut, DC and Warner Bros. have a crucial few weeks remaining to execute their final marketing push and build anticipation among moviegoers worldwide.

The film stars David Corenswet stepping into the iconic role of Clark Kent/Superman, alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as the formidable Lex Luthor. This iteration sees Superman grappling with his immense powers while striving to balance his life as a journalist on Earth, following his journey from Krypton. The film will also notably introduce Krypto the Superdog, a fan-favorite character making his live-action big-screen debut.

The supporting cast features a host of new DC Universe characters, including Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Sara Sampaio (Eve Teschmacher), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Terence Rosemore (Otis), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), and María Gabriela de Faría (The Engineer).

All eyes will be on Superman come July 11th to see if it reaches its $135 million tracking potential and successfully launches the new era of DC storytelling.