Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos recently shared details about how the movie Superman will be released. The film, scheduled for 2025, is the first major project from James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe at DC Studios. With a lot of superhero movies already released and some concerns that audiences might be getting tired of the genre, Superman faced potential challenges at the box office.
Ultimately, Superman earned a little over $600 million, which was less than previous films like Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. It became available to rent or buy digitally on August 15, 2025, just over a month after its July 9 release in theaters. This quick transition from theaters to digital platforms was unusual, as most movies stay in theaters exclusively for around 45 days.
During a Senate hearing about Netflix’s possible purchase of Warner Bros., Netflix’s Ted Sarandos explained the company’s approach to theatrical release windows. When asked if Netflix would follow the typical 45-day period before streaming, Sarandos indicated that this timeframe can be flexible, especially for movies that don’t do well in theaters. He pointed to films like Sinners – which stayed in cinemas longer – and Superman – which had a shorter run, suggesting it didn’t perform as expected – as examples of how Netflix adjusts release schedules based on a film’s success.
In the film industry, a 45-day period is generally used to determine when a movie can be released on streaming after its theatrical run. However, this timeline can be adjusted depending on how well the movie performs in theaters. For example, ‘Superman’ became available on streaming sooner than 45 days, while ‘Sinners’ had a slightly longer wait.
Many viewers were surprised when Superman became available digitally so soon after its theatrical release. Director James Gunn hinted that the timing was connected to the August release of Peacemaker Season 2. Gunn described the situation as “very complicated,” but explained he wanted everyone to have a chance to see Superman even if they couldn’t make it to the cinema before Peacemaker premiered.
Considering recent statements from Ted Sarandos, it seems Superman was taken out of cinemas sooner than expected because ticket sales weren’t as strong as anticipated.
Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Superman explores the early days of the iconic hero as he grapples with balancing his human upbringing and his Kryptonian powers. This film marks the first major movie release from the newly formed DC Studios, and a sequel, Man of Tomorrow, is already planned for 2027.
Did Superman Really Underperform?
Despite being removed from theaters early, Superman was still the most successful superhero film of 2025, earning more at the box office than Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. It also made a profit for Warner Bros. and is considered a win for DC Studios, laying the groundwork for their new cinematic universe, which will expand with Supergirl and Clayface in 2026.
Even though Ted Sarandos suggested Superman didn’t do as well as hoped, there are a few possible explanations for why the movie didn’t meet expectations and was taken out of cinemas quickly.
The movie Superman came out in July 2025, right in the middle of a busy summer movie season. Just two weeks later, Marvel released The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and they also heavily promoted it throughout July, benefiting from the popularity of the existing Marvel Cinematic Universe.
As a movie critic, I think Superman actually had a pretty good window to perform. It enjoyed two weeks as the only superhero flick in theaters before The Fantastic Four arrived. But honestly, given the growing chatter about superhero fatigue, and the fact that this was another Superman origin story so soon after Henry Cavill’s departure, I suspect that contributed to its disappointing box office numbers. It felt like a lot to ask audiences to reinvest in the character so quickly.
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2026-02-05 01:35