The revamped DC Universe, spearheaded by James Gunn, launched to strong numbers on September 22, 2025, confirming its early success. Gunn and producer Peter Safran took the reins of DC Studios in late 2022 with the goal of reimagining the previous DC Extended Universe. Despite initial worries about repeating past failures, recent data shows the new DCU is a hit with audiences.
As of September 22, 2025, *Superman* is the most popular movie on streaming, and *Peacemaker* is the top TV show, according to FlixPatrol. Both are part of the official DCU, with *Peacemaker* releasing weekly on HBO Max and *Superman* available to stream since September 19th, after being in theaters starting June 11, 2025. These two projects are performing exceptionally well, demonstrating strong audience interest and enthusiasm for the first live-action releases in James Gunn’s new DC Universe.
Why Superman & Peacemaker Have Been So Successful
When it was in theaters, *Superman* made $615.3 million worldwide – significantly more than any of the previous DC Universe films. The new movie features David Corenswet as a brighter, more optimistic, and more faithful Superman compared to Henry Cavill’s portrayal, and this likely helped it succeed. While Zack Snyder and Cavill’s darker Superman faced some criticism, James Gunn delivered a more cheerful and enjoyable version that has really resonated with audiences.
It’s been great to see John Cena return as Christopher Smith in *Peacemaker* season 2. He originally played the character in *The Suicide Squad* and the first season of *Peacemaker* – and parts of those projects are now officially part of the new DC Universe. But season 2 really lets us see more of his feelings and weaknesses, making him a more complex and sympathetic hero. This has helped *Peacemaker* season 2 get fantastic viewership, and the new cast members like Michael Rooker, Tim Meadows, Frank Grillo, and Sol Rodríguez have added a lot to the world.
As a DC fan, I’m really excited about how James Gunn and Peter Safran are building this new DCU! The first few projects – *Superman*, *Peacemaker*, and *Creature Commandos* – actually feel connected, which is something the old DCEU really struggled with. *Superman* even introduced the Justice Gang, and I can’t wait to see that team develop! There are so many cool projects already in the works, like *Lanterns*, *Clayface*, and *Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow*. Honestly, things are looking really good, and the initial response to these shows and movies proves the DCU is off to a fantastic start.
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2025-09-22 15:40