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Superman Beats Man of Steel in One Big Way at the Box Office (& It’s Not Close)
The launch of the new DC Universe was a resounding success, with Superman soaring to become the year’s biggest superhero movie. The film managed this feat with a global box office under $615 million, sparking endless comparisons to 2013’s Man of Steel. The debate became a focal point for the divided fandom, with defenders of Zack Snyder’s movie pointing to its larger total gross, even before adjusting for inflation. Meanwhile, fans of James Gunn’s Superman highlighted a shrinking theatrical audience, a damaged DC brand, and waning international interest in superhero films, all factors that played against Superman‘s victory. The passionate argument over which film truly performed better involved complex variables, but as Hollywood is a business, the only number that truly matters has finally settled the dispute.
A new report from Variety reveals that Superman is projected to earn approximately $125 million in profit after all expenses are accounted for, a major victory for DC Studios. For comparison, Man of Steel, despite its higher overall box office, generated only $42.7 million in profit (via Deadline), a figure considered disappointing at the time. Even when adjusting for inflation, the 2013 film’s profit would still fall short of $60 million. With a profit margin more than double its predecessor, Superman is the unquestionable financial winner.
This impressive profitability was achieved through smart budgeting and strategic market performance. Both Superman and Man of Steel had a reported flat production budget of $225 million, but due to over a decade of inflation, the new film was effectively cheaper to produce in real-world value. More importantly, Superman earned significantly more of its total gross in the United States, while Man of Steel was more dependent on international markets. This distinction is crucial because Hollywood studios retain a larger percentage of ticket sales from domestic theaters, allowing Superman’s strong stateside performance to recoup its costs and enter profitability much faster.
The Future is Bright for DC Studios
The success of Superman has solidified the foundation for the new DC Universe, allowing the studio to move forward with confidence and a clear strategy. That positive momentum led DC Studios to quickly announce Man of Tomorrow, a follow-up featuring David Corenswet’s hero and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, which is already slated for a 2027 release. The studio is also diversifying its theatrical slate with projects of varying scale and tone. Arriving on September 11, 2026, is Clayface, a horror film centered on the classic Batman villain with a modest $45 million budget, a model that ensures profitability. Following that is Supergirl, set for a June 26, 2026 release, which will star Milly Alcock and adapt the acclaimed Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic series by Tom King.
This multi-platform strategy extends to television, where the DCU is building out its world with ambitious projects for HBO. Peacemaker is currently airing its second season, which directly follows the events of Superman and incorporates the new status quo of the DCU.DC Studios is also moving forward with Lanterns, an eight-episode series ordered by HBO. Described as a grounded, True Detective-style mystery, the show will follow veteran Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a murder in America’s heartland. With Ozark‘s Chris Mundy as showrunner and a writing team that includes Damon Lindelof and Tom King, the series is being positioned as a prestige drama and a foundational piece of the new universe.
Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 9, 2027.
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