James Gunn’s SUPERMAN Set to Soar Past $200M with Certified Fresh Score, Matching 1978 Classic
James Gunn’s Superman isn’t just another reboot, it’s the foundation of a brand new DC Cinematic Universe, and it’s starting with a bang.
DC Studios' first major film under Gunn and Peter Safran’s Gods and Monsters Chapter 1 is expected to open to at least $200M globally, with $115M–$130M projected domestically. That global haul will come from 60,000 screens across 78 territories, giving the Man of Steel his widest international rollout to date.
Presales are strong, sitting at $20M in the U.S., which puts it ahead of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and just behind Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Studios are confident, and it’s easy to see why: Early reviews have landed the movie at an impressive 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it Certified Fresh, and, surprisingly, putting it on equal footing with Richard Donner’s beloved 1978 Superman starring Christopher Reeve, which also sits at 86%.
That’s a big leap up from recent outings. Here’s how Superman stacks up on Rotten Tomatoes:
Superman II (1980) – 88%
Superman: The Movie (1978) – 86%
Superman (2025) – 86% (current)
Superman Returns (2006) – 73%
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) – 71%
Man of Steel (2013) – 57%
Justice League (2017) – 39%
Superman III (1983) – 29%
Batman v Superman (2016) – 28%
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) – 14%
Gunn is betting on himself, writing, directing, and producing the film that redefines the tone for everything coming next. It’s a pivot away from the grim, gray world of the Snyderverse and toward something more hopeful, but still rich with mythology.
And if the reviews are any indication, this is a course correction, and a full relaunch that fans and general audiences alike are embracing. Critics have pointed out the crowded character lineup, but most agree the movie delivers as a fun and satisfying summer blockbuster.
The pressure is enormous as Gunn’s Superman is tasked with launching a new cinematic universe while healing years of DC misfires. But for now, with strong presales, global rollout momentum, and a Rotten Tomatoes score to rival its iconic predecessor, things are looking up.