James Gunn’s much-anticipated reboot of Superman has taken flight with an impressive $122 million opening weekend at the domestic box office, marking a promising launch for the newly restructured DC Studios. The film’s debut, reported Sunday by studio estimates, positions it as one of the top openings of 2025 and the strongest DC start since Wonder Woman in 2017.

DC and parent company Warner Bros. entered the release with high hopes, especially after a string of underwhelming performances from recent titles like Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, and Joker: Folie à Deux. With Gunn and producer Peter Safran now leading the creative direction at DC Studios, Superman is seen as the franchise’s bold first step toward regaining audience confidence and reshaping its cinematic universe.

The film, which Gunn both wrote and directed, represents a fresh take on the iconic character. Known for his success with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Gunn brings his signature blend of heart, humor, and unconventional storytelling to a hero who has long stood as a symbol of American ideals. Despite his indie roots with Troma Entertainment, Gunn has now become a pivotal figure in revitalizing one of the most valuable properties in comic book history.

Jeffrey Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ head of distribution, acknowledged the importance of reestablishing credibility with fans. “We needed to earn back their trust,” Goldstein said. “This film was a major step in showing that we’re serious about rebuilding DC with care and intention.”

While domestic audiences embraced the reboot, international results were more modest. The film pulled in $95 million from 78 international markets, with just $6.6 million coming from China — a notably weak result. Industry analyst David A. Gross of FranchiseRe noted that while the U.S. performance was robust, the overseas turnout highlighted a persistent challenge.

“Superman remains an archetypal American figure,” Gross observed. “That patriotic identity doesn’t always translate globally, especially in regions where America’s cultural image is complicated right now.”

Despite the softer international numbers, Warner Bros. has reason to celebrate. Superman marks the studio’s fifth consecutive film to surpass $45 million in its opening, reinforcing a streak of box office strength that bodes well for future DC releases.

With this launch, Gunn and Safran have laid a strong foundation. Whether it can sustain and grow will depend on how audiences respond to the next chapters of this rebooted cinematic universe.