As of its third weekend in theaters, James Gunn’sSupermanis the highest-grossing superhero film of 2025. Intended to launch the new DC Universe, it stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, Edi Gathegi, Isabela Merced, Sara Sampaio, and Skyler Gisondo, among others.
Previously,Superman’sgross passed that ofThunderboltslast weekend. Over its theatrical run,Thunderboltsmade $382.1 million worldwide. Comparatively,Supermanis currently at $472.4 million globally, with $271.7 million domestically and $200.7 million. This total also puts it aboveCaptain America: Brave New World,which grossed $415.1 million total.
Whether or notSupermanwill keep this title depends onhowThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, which was released on August 17, 2025, performs. The latest MCU film sits at$57 million domestically and $106 million worldwide.
What The Superman Box Office Update
Aside from outgrossing the other superhero films of 2025 so far,Supermanhas approached its breakeven point. to recoup its budget, the DC film has to at least double its production budget.
With production costs of $225 million,Supermanhas surpassed its breakeven point of $450 million.However, factoring in its $125 million marketing costs, it will need to make $600 million.
In contrast,The Fantastic Four: First Stepshas a reported budget of $200 millionand a breakeven point of $400 million, not counting marketing costs. Its opening weekend is projected to gross $125 million, putting it on par withSuperman.
Our Take On Superman’s Box Office Update
It is difficult to tell how the box office race betweenSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswill turn out.Both come from well-established superhero properties and have a complicated cinematic history. Additionally,Supermanisn’t performing as strongly globally, with 42% of its overall gross coming from overseas compared toThe Fantastic Four: First Steps'46%.
Before the release ofSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Steps,Gunn addressed their future box office showdown. The director felt both films had room to thrive, stating: “There’s room for us both! I love my friends at Marvel. You can find whatever discussions you’d want to find online. I’d focus on all the positivity around the films instead of getting sucked up in online fan wars.”
In all likelihood, both films will hit their breakeven point, but may have varying degrees of success based on several factors.Superman’scontinued success will rely on sales holding weekend to weekend, whileThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswill also need to maintain its early momentum.
For either film, overseas performance could make the difference.SupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsboth have baggage, as the DCU is a new reboot of a failed franchise and the MCU has been in decline overall.
As such, they are on a level playing field in terms of audience perception. Regardless,Supermancurrently holds the title of top superhero movie of 2025, and even ifThe Fantastic Four: First Stepssurpasses it, the film is already a modest hit for DC Studios.
