Superman Enters Impressive All-Time Box Office Top 10 Chart (& Man of Steel Isn’t in It)

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Anticipation for James Gunn’s Superman was high as it prepared to hit theaters this summer, with many eager to see its box office performance. Despite Gunn playing down the pressure, it’s clear that much was riding on its success. As the inaugural film of the new DC Universe franchise, Superman aimed to rejuvenate DC Comics adaptations following the turbulent era of the DC Extended Universe. Fans were intrigued to compare its box office earnings with those of Man of Steel, another film that launched a shared cinematic universe. While Snyder’s film enjoyed better global returns, Gunn’s reboot has shown stronger domestic performance and recently surpassed another significant benchmark.

Currently, the film “Superman” has amassed $346.9 million within the U.S., according to “The Numbers.” This places it as Warner Bros.’ ninth highest-grossing movie domestically, without considering inflation. On this chart, “Man of Steel” ranks at number 23 with an estimated earnings of around $291 million. Below you’ll find the complete list of Warner Bros.’ top 10 highest-grossing films in the U.S., featuring several well-known adaptations from DC Comics:

[Space for the full list]

  1. Barbie ($636.7 million)
  2. The Dark Knight ($536.6 million)
  3. The Dark Knight Rises ($448.1 million)
  4. A Minecraft Movie ($423.9 million)
  5. Wonder Woman ($412.5 million)
  6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II ($382 million)
  7. The Batman ($369.6 million)
  8. American Sniper ($350.1 million)
  9. Superman ($346.9 million)
  10. Joker ($335.4 million)

How Superman Became One of WB’s Biggest Movies of All Time

I must confess, the phenomenal success of Superman didn’t surprise me one bit. The film’s word-of-mouth was infectious, sparking a wave of positive reviews that propelled it to new heights on the all-time charts.

When it first took flight during its opening weekend, it shattered box office expectations, raking in an impressive $125 million domestically. This stellar start was followed by robust legs, as audiences couldn’t get enough of the film. In its second weekend, Superman demonstrated remarkable staying power, only dropping 53.2%.

From there, it continued to post strong numbers week after week. However, with the film now available on home media, business has slowed down slightly. Nevertheless, the enduring appeal of Superman ensures that it will continue to capture hearts and minds for years to come.

Brave New World”, “Thunderbolts”, and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. The closest rival to “Superman” is currently “First Steps”, with $257.3 million in domestic earnings, but its chances of surpassing “Superman” were dashed when it experienced a significant 67.1% decline in its second weekend.

Before the release of “Superman”, it was anticipated by Warner Bros. Discovery executives that the movie could earn over $500 million globally. Not only has it surpassed this expectation, but it’s now crossed the $600 million mark. Despite a softer overseas performance, the film’s success should still be celebrated by everyone involved. James Gunn is currently working on a sequel to “Superman”, aiming to start production soon.

Warner Bros. experienced an exceptionally profitable year in 2025, with six consecutive films from the studio earning over $40 million domestically, a record-breaking achievement. While films such as “A Minecraft Movie,” “Sinners,” “F1,” and “Weapons” were successful, “Superman” stood out as particularly significant. DC Studios had a strategic vision, and it was crucial that the launch of the DC Universe was strong. The launch has been successful, and ideally, future Superman films featuring David Corenswet will generate even more revenue than his initial appearance.

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2025-08-26 17:10