Superman film directed by James Gunn has surpassed Man of Steel at the US box office, setting a new record for the highest grossing solo Superman movie ever.
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In a surprising turn of events, James Gunn's 2025 reboot of Superman has surpassed Zack Snyder's Man of Steel in domestic box office gross, earning approximately $292 million compared to Man of Steel's $291 million unadjusted. However, when adjusted for inflation, Man of Steel's 2013 domestic take would be around $407 million today, surpassing Gunn's Superman in this category[1][2].
Globally, Gunn's Superman has earned around $506.5 million within 18 days of release, trailing Man of Steel's worldwide gross of about $670 million. The international performance of Gunn's film is weaker relative to its domestic success, with key overseas markets like Brazil and the U.K. doing well, but overall international revenue remains behind Man of Steel[1][2].
This comparison reflects shifts in international market dynamics, franchise reboot impacts, and evolving audience responses between 2013 and 2025. James Gunn has mentioned that Superman is not as well-known in some regions compared to Batman, which may contribute to the film's weaker international performance[1].
Gunn's Superman has become the highest-grossing solo Superman outing in the US, surpassing Man of Steel's domestic run. The film has received a warm reception from both audiences and critics, and a Superman review is available for readers to check out[1].
Superman's box office earnings are expected to grow over the rest of the summer. For those debating which Superman movie is better, this new one offers more box office success. Superman was released in theaters on July 11[1].
Looking ahead, Supergirl is expected to be released next year. A breakdown of all upcoming DC movies and shows in 2025 and beyond is available for those interested in the future of the DC Universe[1].
It is unlikely that Gunn's Superman will pass Man of Steel's global earnings of $670 million. Anti-American sentiment around the world is affecting Superman's box office performance, according to Gunn[1].
In other news, Peacemaker season 2 is scheduled to arrive on August 21. Forbes suggests considering inflation when making comparisons between both films[1][2]. If you're curious about the ending of Superman, our explanation is also available for readers.
[1] Variety. (2025, July 26). James Gunn's Superman Outperforms Zack Snyder's Man of Steel Domestically, but Lags Internationally. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2025/film/news/james-gunn-superman-man-of-steel-box-office-1235135849/
[2] Forbes. (2025, July 26). James Gunn's Superman Leads Domestically But Lags Behind Inflation-Adjusted Box Office. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2025/07/26/james-gunn-superman-leads-domestically-but-lags-behind-inflation-adjusted-box-office/?sh=68a242391c8b
- James Gunn's total film earnings for the Superman reboot, released in 2025, have surpassed Zack Snyder's Man of Steel in domestic box office gross, but falls behind Man of Steel's inflation-adjusted gross.
- The movie has been performing well on MMO platforms, with numerous reviews praising its action-packed entertainment.
- For those planning to invest in games based on the Superman universe, the deals in the market offer various options that include movies-and-tv related content.
- Gunn's Superman, currently enjoying a warm reception from audiences and critics, has become the highest-grossing solo Superman outing in the US, just like how action-packed games often top the charts among gaming enthusiasts.
- Following the success of Superman, several movie and TV releases are lined up next year, including Supergirl, Peacemaker season 2, and additional releases in the DC Universe.
- Despite the global success of Superman, some international markets show weaker responses compared to the earlier Man of Steel release due to evolving audience preferences and cultural factors, such as anti-American sentiment in certain regions.
