Perhaps the most discussed movie of the year, Superman has more riding on it than maybe any other movie before. Hopes to kicks off a new DC Universe fans and box office number crunchers have all over the map. Let’s take a look at

James Gunn.

Gunn has an impressive track record with high-budget studio films. Most notably, The Guardian of the Galaxy trilogy. This has led to considerable interest in how this new installment will do. The focus is on both critical and commercial success.​ He also has more riding on this film than maybe any director in history, as the co-CEO of DC films, he’s not just responsible for this film but for the entire Cinematic Universe. Gunn took it upon himself to set the tone, writing and directing the first film with one of the most iconic superheroes. There’s not a better person for the job.

Superman Trailer Sets New Records

The anticipation for Gunn’s Superman is palpable, as evidenced by its trailer’s performance. Within 24 hours of release, the trailer amassed over 250 million views, making it the most-viewed trailer in the history of both DC and Warner Bros.This unprecedented interest suggests a strong opening for the film upon its release.​

What could go wrong?

There’s a few things.

1. In recent years, DC Studios has faced a troubling string of box office disappointments. These disappointments have shaken audience confidence in the brand. Films like Black Adam, The Flash, and Shazam: Fury of the Gods all suffered both commercially and critically. This occurred despite heavy marketing efforts and the involvement of major stars. Most recently, Joker: Folie à Deux — a film that once seemed like a sure bet after the runaway success of the original Joker — opened to far more mixed reviews and a noticeably softer box office start. These failures, combined with frequent leadership changes and the public rebooting of the DC Universe, have left audiences feeling uncertain about the studio’s creative direction.

2. Superhero fatigue has become a real factor at the box office. Audiences grow increasingly tired of formulaic stories. They are weary of endless sequels and cinematic universes that demand homework just to keep up. Once seen as guaranteed hits, superhero films now face sharper scrutiny and diminishing returns, even for well-known characters. In today’s climate, only the most exceptional superhero movies — those offering something truly different — are managing to break through. In the past 5 years, Deadpool & Wolverine, as well as Spiderman: No Way Home, are the only superhero movies that have broken the coveted 1 Billion dollar mark.

Our Prediction:

The trailer’s record-breaking viewership is impressive. Gunn has an established fan base. As a result, industry analysts project that Superman could achieve a global box office gross ranging between $800 million and $1 billion.

We think that’s low. James Gunn’s Superman combines a visionary director with a fresh take on an iconic character. It has also garnered unprecedented early interest. The film is poised to make a substantial impact both critically and commercially upon its release.​

Our Prediction Domestic 550M / International 650M / Global 1.2B