Superman Soars With $57.3M in Second Weekend Box Office
Superman continues to dominate the box office, earning $57.3 million in its second weekend and solidifying its place as a summer blockbuster. Explore the film’s success, its competition, and how it stacks up against other major releases.
Superman’s Box Office Dominance
In its second weekend, Superman maintained its reign at the box office, earning an estimated $57.25 million. This brings its domestic total to $235 million and its global haul to an impressive $406.8 million. Despite a 54% drop from its opening weekend—not quite the 50% Warner Bros. and DC had hoped for—the film’s performance remains a bright spot for the studio.
The film, directed by James Gunn, has already surpassed the lifetime gross of 2006’s Superman Returns and edged out Man of Steel, which had earned $210 million domestically by this point in its 2013 run. However, it still trails behind DC’s top earners like The Dark Knight and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which reached $313.7 million and $260.4 million, respectively, by their second weeks.
Competition Holds Strong
While Superman soared, it faced stiff competition from Jurassic World Dominion, which held the No. 2 spot in its third weekend with $23.4 million. The latest Jurassic installment has now grossed $648 million globally, on track to challenge the franchise’s second-highest grosser, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the weekend’s new releases struggled to make an impact. Sony’s I Know What You Did Last Summer opened with $13 million, falling short of its projected $15 million-$20 million range. Paramount’s Smurfs fared worse, bringing in $11 million and failing to meet its $15 million projection.
Indie film Eddington, directed by Ari Aster, debuted with $4.2 million, performing better than Aster’s previous film, Beau Is Afraid, but still falling short of expectations.
Audience Reception and Demographics
Superman continues to resonate with audiences, boasting a 74% definite recommend score and strong word of mouth. The film’s demographic breakdown reveals a 46% male over 25 audience, with 60% of viewers aged 18-34. Younger audiences especially enjoyed the film, with 13-17 year olds giving it an 80% positive grade.
In contrast, I Know What You Did Last Summer received a lukewarm C+ CinemaScore, the lowest in the franchise, while Smurfs earned a B+. The latter performed best with younger audiences, with 68% of viewers under 9 years old and 61% female.
DC’s Reboot Success Story
Superman’s strong performance marks a turning point for DC Studios after years of underperforming films like Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter. With a budget of $225 million, the film is Warner Bros.’ attempt to reboot the DC Universe, and its success has set the stage for future installments, including Supergirl, slated for release in June 2026.
The film’s second-week hold is on par with Deadpool & Wolverine and outpaced other recent superhero films like Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World, which saw declines of 56% and 68%, respectively.
International Highlights and Future Prospects
Internationally, Superman has earned $171.8 million, contributing to its $406.8 million global total. While the franchise has traditionally faced challenges overseas, this performance signals a positive shift.
Looking ahead, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is poised to shake up the box office when it releases on July 25. Meanwhile, Jurassic World Dominion continues its strong run, crossing the $600 million milestone globally.
A Summer of Blockbusters
The summer box office has already amassed $2.6 billion, with expectations to reach $4 billion by the season’s end. Major hits like Lilo & Stitch and A Minecraft Movie have contributed to this success, while upcoming releases like The Fantastic Four are expected to drive further growth.
Conclusion
Superman’s second-weekend performance confirms its status as a crowd-pleaser and a significant win for DC Studios. With strong audience reception and a promising future slate, the film has breathed new life into the DC Universe. As the summer box office heats up, Superman remains a formidable contender. For more insights on the latest box office trends, explore our ongoing coverage of this summer’s biggest films.
