Superman Nets $22.5M Thursday Previews, Sets 2025 Record

James Gunn’s Superman has launched the new era of DC films with a record-breaking $22.5 million in Thursday previews, marking the highest preview earnings for a Superman movie and the biggest preview collection in Gunn’s career. This figure surpasses previous DC preview records, including The Dark Knight and The Batman, and beats Gunn’s prior MCU success Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The film has received strong audience ratings, including an A- CinemaScore and 92-95% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, with particular praise for its fresh tone and the character Krypto. Industry projections estimate a $130 million to $140 million opening weekend domestically, potentially topping the 2013 Man of Steel’s $116 million debut, and a global opening exceeding $200 million. The film’s early success is seen as a critical step for DC Studios, aiming to reestablish the franchise’s box office strength after recent underperforming sequels. Despite some polarized reactions regarding the portrayal of women, Superman’s strong presales and positive word-of-mouth suggest solid box office momentum throughout the summer.