'Superman' Soars to Second-Biggest Opening of 2025 Is 'Minecraft' Doomed?

Article Heading: Box Office: ‘Superman’ Lifts Off With $56.5 Million Opening Day — Second-Biggest of 2025

The Man of Steel is soaring! Warner Bros. and DC Studios' highly anticipated "Superman" reboot has launched with an impressive $56.5 million opening day, encompassing Friday and preview screenings across 4,135 theaters. This powerful debut positions "Superman" as the second-highest opening of the year thus far.

While "A Minecraft Movie" still holds the top spot with $57.11 million, "Superman" has decisively outperformed "Lilo & Stitch" ($55.94 million), signaling a strong start for the new DC cinematic universe.

Adding to its impressive launch, "Superman" also benefited from early-access screenings for Amazon Prime members on Tuesday, providing an additional boost before the traditional Thursday evening openings.

Industry projections for the film's opening weekend have been a topic of much discussion. Initial conservative estimates hovered around $100 million, while more optimistic forecasts pushed towards $140 million. It now appears the film is heading towards a $120 million opening weekend, bolstered by premium ticket prices for Imax and other large format auditoriums.

Here's a quick rundown:

• Opening Day: $56.5 million
• Rank: Second-biggest opening of 2025
• Estimated Opening Weekend: Approximately $120 million

This successful launch is not only a win for the Man of Steel but also adds to Warner Bros.' recent box office success. Following the strong performance of "A Minecraft Movie" in April, "Superman" is a crucial release for the studio. With a substantial $225 million production budget, the film carries the weight of launching a new on-screen universe for DC Comics characters. The hope is that "Superman" will establish a foundation for many more years of lucrative superhero blockbusters.

The film's long-term success hinges on its ability to maintain momentum beyond the initial fan-driven opening. It will need to resonate with a broader audience and stand out amidst fierce summer competition. Fortunately, "Superman" has garnered positive reviews and strong audience approval, evidenced by its "A-" Cinema Score.

This reboot stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Nicholas Hoult as the iconic villain Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan as the intrepid journalist Lois Lane. The film also features a roster of other superheroes, including Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, alongside Skyler Gisondo as Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen.

Other Notable Box Office Performers:

1. "Jurassic World Rebirth": Added $11.3 million on Friday, eyeing $38.7 million for the weekend.
2. "F1": (Warner Bros./Apple Studios) Earned $3.7 million on Friday, bringing its North American total to $126.9 million.
3. "How to Train Your Dragon": (Universal) Added $2.3 million on Friday, projecting a $7.7 million weekend.
4. "Elio": (Disney/Pixar) Added $1.2 million on Friday, with a domestic total of $60.9 million.

While "Superman" is undoubtedly off to a strong start, the real test lies in its ability to maintain its flight path in the weeks to come. With positive reviews and audience reception, the future looks bright for the Man of Steel and the new DC Universe he represents. Only time will tell if "Superman" can truly solidify its place as a cornerstone of the superhero genre.

Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/box-office-superman-soars-second-biggest-opening-day-1236453955/