High-Value Firearms Secures Impressive $70 Million Global Debut in First Weekend
In the world of cinema, 2023 has been a year of impressive box office performances, with some films standing out from the crowd. Here's a snapshot of the top performers:
Superman (James Gunn's 2023 film) has taken the lead with an astounding worldwide gross of over $578 million. The film has been a hit with audiences, especially in North America, where it has amassed an impressive $331.2 million in just 31 days. Superman added $7.8 million domestically in a recent weekend, indicating that its success is far from over. With projections of finishing with a domestic total close to $355-365 million and notable international success, Superman is set to surpass films like Shazam and Black Adam but may fall short of Aquaman and Man of Steel.
Fantastic Four: First Steps (2023 Marvel film) has also made a significant impact, with a domestic total of about $246.9 million after four weeks in theatres. The film has experienced a 45% drop in its fourth weekend, indicating a steady decline in viewership.
Freakier Friday, released alongside Weapons, has made an impression with its unique premise and star-studded cast, including Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Manny Jacinto, Sophia Hammons, and Julia Butters. The film has grossed approximately $54.2 million domestically, with Julia Butters' character getting her body swapped with Lohan and Curtis.
Weapons, released on August 8, 2025 (assuming 2023 context), has shown strong box office performance, grossing approximately $120.5 million worldwide. The film opened at number one, earning $43.5 million in its opening weekend and had a strong second weekend with $25 million, showing a good hold for a horror film.
In the past few months, New Line has had a successful run with films like "Final Destination Bloodlines", "F1: The Movie", "Sinners", and "Superman".
As for Superman's future earnings, it is projected to reach $490-510 million by the end of its run, surpassing the domestic records set by previous Superman films. The film is poised to make (or exceed) $600 million worldwide before it hits streaming on August 26.
Weapons has earned $70 million worldwide, with its success attributed to intriguing trailers and positive pre-release buzz. The film has gained momentum due to its unique premise and the anticipation surrounding its release.
In summary, among these 2023-related films, Superman leads with the highest worldwide gross (~$578 million), followed by Fantastic Four: First Steps with roughly $247 million domestically, then Weapons with around $120.5 million worldwide, and Freakier Friday with $54.2 million domestically. These figures highlight strong box office success for Superman and good performance for the others within their respective genres and release windows.
Technology played a significant role in the promotion of these movies, with intriguing trailers and engaging marketing strategies being shared across various online platforms, such as io9 and Gizmodo's 'movies-and-tv' sections. The future of entertainment seems promising as these innovative approaches continue to attract audiences, ensuring blockbuster movies like Superman, Fantastic Four: First Steps, Weapons, and Freakier Friday remain at the forefront of the industry. Io9 even reported that Superman is projected to surpass the $600 million mark before it hits streaming, marking a new milestone in cinema history.
