Box Office Highlights: 'Superman' Dominates with $217 Million Globally

In a remarkable display of box office prowess, Warner Bros.' latest superhero film, "Superman," has soared to a global total of $217 million since its release. The film, helmed by director James Gunn and featuring David Corenswet as the iconic Man of Steel, debuted with a substantial $122 million domestically and $95 million internationally. This opening marks the third-largest for 2025, reflecting the character's enduring popularity despite mixed international reception due to geopolitical sentiments.

Historically, Superman has been portrayed as a quintessentially American figure, a sentiment echoed by David A. Gross, head of FranchiseRe, a movie consulting firm. Gross noted that the film’s American themes may have hampered its international performance, particularly in markets where U.S. popularity is waning. For instance, "Superman" garnered only $6.6 million in China, whereas "Jurassic World Rebirth," which opened simultaneously, achieved $25 million in the same territory (Rubin, Variety, July 13, 2025).

The film’s success is crucial for Warner Bros., especially following the underwhelming performances of recent DC films. The $225 million-budgeted production is part of a strategic overhaul of the DC Universe initiated in 2022 by Gunn and producer Peter Safran, who outlined a 10-year plan for interconnected stories (Rubin, Variety, July 13, 2025).

In second place at the box office, Universal's "Jurassic World Rebirth" has crossed the $500 million mark globally, currently standing at $529 million. This film, which rebooted the beloved franchise with a star-studded cast including Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, has also enjoyed a successful overseas run, adding $68 million in its second weekend (Rubin, Variety, July 13, 2025).

The third spot is held by Apple Studios' "F1: The Movie," which has amassed $393 million worldwide, bolstered by a promising $38.5 million from international markets this weekend (Rubin, Variety, July 13, 2025).

Moreover, Disney's live-action adaptation of "Lilo & Stitch" is on the verge of hitting the billion-dollar milestone, having earned $994 million globally and $579 million internationally to date. This is especially significant for Disney, as another of its recent high-budget films, Pixar's "Elio," is poised to be a financial disappointment, having earned only $117 million worldwide against a $150 million budget (Rubin, Variety, July 13, 2025).

As the summer box office season progresses, the performance of these films will be pivotal in shaping the future of their respective franchises. While "Superman" has demonstrated significant domestic appeal, its international reception raises questions about the global viability of American superhero narratives in an evolving cinematic landscape. With more interconnected stories on the horizon, including "Supergirl" and "Clayface," the focus will increasingly shift towards achieving a balance between domestic success and international appeal in the coming years (Rubin, Variety, July 13, 2025).