"In a significant development, the James Gunn-directed 'Superman' project has surpassed a significant milestone previously set by 'Man of Steel'."
James Gunn's latest Superman film has made history by becoming the highest-grossing domestic Superman movie of all time, surpassing Zack Snyder's Man of Steel (2013) in raw domestic box office numbers. As of July 30, 2025, Gunn's Superman has grossed approximately $297 million domestically, compared to Man of Steel's $291 million.
However, when it comes to the global box office, Man of Steel still holds the lead. The film earned about $379 million internationally, compared to Gunn's Superman which has so far grossed $214.1 million overseas. When inflation and the stronger international box office of Man of Steel are taken into account, Man of Steel remains the highest-grossing global Superman film.
The discrepancy in rankings can be attributed to several factors. Timing and ticket price inflation, stronger domestic appeal for Gunn's film, franchise and audience context, and international market dynamics all play a role in the current standings.
Gunn's Superman has benefited from being the first major Superman film in the DC Universe reboot era, with strong critical reception and effective marketing that boosted early domestic turnout. On the other hand, Man of Steel had a larger international box office share.
Despite Superman (2025) holding the record for the highest domestic gross unadjusted for inflation, Man of Steel still leads in international grosses and likely overall inflation-adjusted revenue, explaining the apparent discrepancy.
As the competition between the two films continues, it's important to note that Superman has taken a significant lead over Man of Steel in the box office race, but there is still a lot of "road left to cover". The success of James Gunn's Superman film marks the end of the Snyderverse, the multifilm DC Universe created by Zack Snyder.
James Gunn has recently discussed the reasons for the performance of his Superman film, shedding light on the strategies and decisions that led to its success. As of the current paragraph, Superman has not yet surpassed the total gross of Man of Steel.
The box office run for Zack Snyder's Man of Steel was for three months, a testament to its enduring popularity. Richard Donner's 1978 Superman film, when adjusted for inflation, would have grossed almost $620 million, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the Superman franchise.
In conclusion, while James Gunn's Superman leads the domestic box office race, Zack Snyder's Man of Steel continues to hold its ground in the international and inflation-adjusted arenas. The competition between the two films is ongoing, and both have made significant contributions to the Superman legacy.
Gizmodo and io9 have been discussing the ongoing competition between James Gunn's Superman (2025) and Zack Snyder's Man of Steel (2013) in terms of box office revenue. While Gunn's film holds the record for the highest domestic gross unadjusted for inflation, Man of Steel still leads in international grosses and likely overall inflation-adjusted revenue, as pointed out by entertainment websites like Technology Review. The success of both movies has marked notable chapters in the Superman movies-and-tv landscape, showcasing the enduring appeal of the franchise for audiences worldwide.
