Superman Soars Again: James Gunn’s DC Studios Launches “Gods and Monsters” with Strong Early Reviews and Box Office Buzz

Peter Safran and James Gunn have officially launched their revitalized DC Studios with the highly anticipated Superman: Gods and Monsters, hitting theaters this weekend. Serving as the first film in DC’s new Phase One, the movie marks a fresh start for the iconic superhero after the darker era of Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan. Gunn takes the helm as writer, director, and producer, confidently steering the franchise into a new era.

Following a dazzling Hollywood premiere, Superman: Gods and Monsters debuted to an impressive 85% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, matching the acclaim of the original 1978 Richard Donner Superman film. This positive critical reception bodes well for Warner Bros. Discovery as the studio looks to cement its foothold in the competitive superhero movie market.

Early box office projections signal a strong start, with the film expected to gross around $200 million globally from approximately 60,000 screens worldwide, split evenly between domestic and international markets. U.S. presales have already reached $20 million, putting Superman ahead of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 but behind Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Domestic opening estimates hover between $115 million and $130 million.

The movie’s global rollout kicks off this week with early releases in France, Italy, and Korea, followed by Germany, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, the UK, Spain, China, and Japan, covering 78 territories in total. Notably, presales in China indicate strong interest for Thursday and Friday previews. The studio has ramped up global promotions, including a striking 11-foot Superman sculpture atop London’s The Shard.

This new Superman film also benefits from a broad U.S./Canada theater footprint, with previews starting Thursday across 3,400 locations and expanding to 10,000 screens by Friday. The movie has gained significant traction among male audiences under 25, promising a strong fanbase turnout.

Historically, Superman has been a cornerstone of Warner Bros’ superhero lineup, with early blockbusters setting box office standards alongside classics like Jaws and Star Wars. While the franchise experienced ups and downs—including hits like Superman II and struggles with Superman III and IV—recent reboots under Snyder saw mixed results. Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013) and Batman v. Superman (2016) had solid openings but divided critics, while the 2017 Justice League revealed cracks in the Snyderverse.

With Gods and Monsters, James Gunn and Peter Safran hope to redefine Superman for a modern audience, blending fresh storytelling with blockbuster spectacle, setting the stage for DC’s ambitious cinematic future.