Los Angeles, July 30, 2025 — The summer of 2025 has delivered a fierce box office battle between two iconic superhero franchises: DC Studios’ Superman and Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Released just two weeks apart, both films opened to strong numbers, but early data shows Superman narrowly leading the race.
Directed by James Gunn, Superman stars David Corenswet as the Man of Steel and marks the launch of DC’s new cinematic universe. The film debuted with a domestic opening of $125 million, complemented by $95 million internationally, bringing its global opening weekend total to $220 million. As of this week, Superman has surpassed $500 million worldwide, with $289.5 million from North America and $213.2 million from overseas markets.
Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, helmed by Matt Shakman, introduced Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the titular heroes. The film opened with $118 million domestically and $100 million internationally, totaling $218 million globally in its debut weekend. Despite falling just short of Superman’s initial haul, Fantastic Four set a franchise record and became the 37th MCU film to top the box office, contributing to Disney’s milestone of $3 billion in global ticket sales for 2025.
Both films received an A- CinemaScore and strong critical acclaim, signaling audience satisfaction and potential for sustained performance. However, Superman has shown stronger retention, particularly among family audiences and younger demographics, while Fantastic Four saw sharper weekend drop-offs.
Industry analysts note that while Fantastic Four may gain ground internationally due to Marvel’s global appeal, Superman’s domestic dominance and cultural resonance have given DC Studios a much-needed boost following recent franchise struggles.
As both films continue their theatrical runs, the showdown remains close. The next few weeks will determine whether Marvel’s First Family can overtake the Man of Steel—or if DC’s flagship hero will soar unchallenged.
