‘Superman' leaps weekend box office in single bound
Warner Bros. Pictures' latest blockbuster beat early estimates of around $90 million for the weekend and surpassed last weekend's top hit 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' which grossed $40 million this weekend.
Warner Bros. Discovery is the parent company of CNN.
'Superman is on the Mount Rushmore of superheroes. All eyes were on this movie,' Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. 'So, this is the gift that hopefully will keep on giving for DC Studios.'
DC Studios' movies have historically been less popular than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2017, DC's 'Justice League' grossed $229 million domestically, while Marvel's 'Avengers: Infinity War' grossed $678.8 domestically the following year. Marvel films haven't been as popular with audiences in recent years, which some experts attribute to 'superhero fatigue.'
Dergarabedian said the performance of 'Superman' means 'we can put that to bed' because 'it's all about the individual movie.'
Blockbuster hits over the last several months have lifted the summer box office 16% compared to the same time last year, according to Comscore. The overall box office is closing in on $5 billion for all of 2025 and summer earnings currently total about $2.35 billion, according to Comscore data.
Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder and owner of Box Office Theory, said it's still possible to reach a $4 billion summer, but the box office may be held back by June's underperformers. Disney's 'Elio,' for instance, opened to a mere $20 million despite positive reviews.
Big performers like 'Superman' can help close the gap.
'This is kind of the nature of the box office nowadays. We see so much feast or famine-type of weekends, it just takes one movie to bust out beyond expectation,' Robbins said.
'This summer, the wealth is spread among so many movies,' he said.
'Superman' is the third movie to gross more than $100 million over a three-day opening this year. The first movie to do so was Warner Bros. Pictures' 'A Minecraft Movie' in April and Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch' in May.
'Lilo & Stitch' has been the big winner this summer, grossing over $414 million since opening on Memorial Day weekend, and is closing in on the year's biggest earner, 'A Minecraft Movie' ($423 million), which jolted the box office from a disappointing first quarter.
'Superman' isn't the last superhero movie of the summer. The next big blockbuster is expected to be Disney's 'Fantastic Four,' which opens on July 25. Robbins believes Disney's 'Freakier Friday,' the sequel to the 2003 release of Disney's 'Freaky Friday,' could end up being a breakout in August.
Hollywood ultimately relies on big hits in July, so it's important for 'Fantastic Four' and 'Superman' to perform well, Robbins said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
HBO vs. HBO Max: A simple guide to what's what
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. When Last Week Tonight host John Oliver mercilessly mocked his show's parent company Warner Bros. Discovery back in May over the umpteenth name change for HBO's streaming network, it was not only a hilarious bit from the cheeky host about a boneheaded marketing decision — it was also an indicator that the difference between HBO and what's now HBO Max might still be a bit… puzzling, to say the least, to some viewers. With so many names, rebrands, and mergers in the mix over the past few years, it's understandable if you're still not totally clear on what's what. So here's a quick explainer to help straighten it all out. Today's Top Deals XGIMI Prime Day deals feature the new MoGo 4 and up to 42% off smart projectors Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Whenever anyone refers to HBO, they're talking about the legacy cable TV channel that's been around for more than 50 years. It's known for prestige dramas (The Sopranos, Succession), original documentaries, and standup comedy. If you're watching Curb Your Enthusiasm or True Detective, for example, you're watching HBO. And while all HBO shows are also available to stream, the key thing here is that these titles were created for the cable channel first and foremost. If you're watching HBO, in other words, think 'watching TV.' Here's where things can get a little confounding. HBO Max is the streaming platform that launched in 2020 and has gone through multiple branding tweaks, most recently returning to the HBO Max name after a befuddling stint as 'Max.' This streamer includes everything from the HBO TV channel, but also a lot more (hence, the 'Max' in the title). In other words, the name implies HBO supercharged with extra content. HBO Max also includes Warner Bros. movies, some live sports, and originals made exclusively for the streaming platform. Which brings us to one more thing worth clarifying: Here's a distinction that trips people up: It's also important to define releases that are branded as Max Originals, which are shows and movies created specifically for HBO Max. In other words, these have never 'aired' on the HBO cable network. That includes streaming-only titles like The Flight Attendant, Love & Death, and Tokyo Vice. The recent movie Mountainhead from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong is also a Max Original. These are part of the HBO Max library, but technically, they're not HBO releases. I know, I know — it feels like splitting hairs. To wrap up, here's what to know about the key differences between all these terms: If you're watching something branded simply as 'HBO,' it's a TV show or movie that originally aired on the HBO cable network. If it says 'Max Original,' it's exclusive to the streaming service. And HBO Max is the umbrella platform where it all lives, along with a whole lot of other Warner Bros. Discovery content. I'll admit, it's definitely understandable that it can be confusing, still. But at least now, the next time John Oliver throws shade at his own streaming home, you'll be in on the joke. Don't Miss: Today's deals: Nintendo Switch games, $5 smart plugs, $150 Vizio soundbar, $100 Beats Pill speaker, more More Top Deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 See the
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Harry Potter fans divided over first image of Nick Frost's Hagrid
Production is officially underway on HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter series and the studio has released a first-look image of actor Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, which has caused some debate among fans. The 53-year-old will play the friendly groundskeeper alongside newcomer Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, who was also pictured in costume this week while filming at Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden. Fans were left divided over Frost's transformation, with some declaring they were 'loving' the actor in the iconic role, while others said his costume looked like 'cosplaying'. 'I'm so sorry this already looks like a parody show,' one person wrote on X/Twitter. 'Who exactly asked for this?' another fan questioned. Referring to the original Hagrid actor, Robbie Coltrane, another said: 'Love Nick Frost, but no chance of out-Hagrid-ing Hagrid.' The TV adaptation of the famous franchise, which is expected to debut in 2027, confirmed by HBO Max in 2023, aims to be a 'faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer JK Rowling'. The series is expected to run for a decade, with each season based on one of the seven Rowling books. The books follow the story of 11-year-old Harry Potter as he learns of his acceptance to Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry, and his attempts to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort. Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid in HBO'sforthcoming Harry Potter series (HBO) In May last year, HBO announced that after nearly 30,000 auditions for the three lead roles, McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout had been cast as Harry, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Casting for most of the leading characters has been announced in the last few months. Paapa Essiedu is playing potions professor Severus Snape, Janet McTeer is acting as deputy Hogwarts headmistress and Gryffindor House head Minerva McGonagall, and Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The actors have faced criticism from some fans calling for a boycott of the series due to Rowling's views on transgender people which many consider transphobic. However, Frost, known for Shaun of the Dead, made clear in an interview that his opinions 'don't align in any way, shape or form' with those of the franchise creator. Last month, Rowling, 59, delivered her early verdict on the series in a post on X. 'I read the first two episodes of the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter series and they are SO, SO, SO GOOD!' the author said. In response, a user asked the author: 'So you are not doing the writing for this show?' to which, the author clarified: 'No, but I've worked closely with the extremely talented writers.' Rubeus Hagrid was previously played by Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane in the Harry Potter franchise, who died from multiple organ failure in 2022, aged 72, after starring in all eight films as the beloved half-giant.
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ron Howard Earns His First-Ever Acting Nomination at the 2025 Emmys for Guest Starring Role as Himself in 'The Studio'
The Studio had an impressive showing at the 2025 Emmy Awards nominations The Seth Rogen-led comedy series earned a whopping 23 nominations this year, including six nods in the guest star categories Ron Howard was among the nominees and it marks his first-ever acting nominationThe Studio made a splash amongst the list of nominees for the 2025 Emmy Awards, and even Ron Howard made the list in an acting category. On Tuesday, July 15, Brenda Song and Harvey Guillén announced this year's nominations and the Seth Rogen-helmed Apple TV+ comedy series earned a whopping 23 nominations. Among those are nominations for Rogen himself for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, as well as his costars Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O'Hara for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. Ike Barinholtz also scored a nomination in the outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series category. Howard — who began his career in Hollywood as a child star and famously played Richie Cunningham on Happy Days — earned his first-ever Emmy nomination for acting. His performance in The Studio garnered him a nod for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series. The nomination is the acclaimed director's 14th ever at the Emmys, and he has won three times — for the documentary Jim Henson Idea Man last year, Arrested Development in 2004, and From The Earth To The Moon in 1998. The other guest stars from The Studio joining him in the category are: Dave Franco, Martin Scorsese, Bryan Cranston and Anthony Mackie. Zoë Kravitz also earned a nomination for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series. Mackie, 46, and Howard, 71, overlapped in episode 3 as they worked together on the fictional film Alphabet City, which Franco also "starred" in. During the episode, Howard broke down crying during a meeting with Rogen's studio head Matt Remick over his critique of the film — and things really crashed and burned when Rogen fell into and destroyed a bar cart after Howard threw his signature baseball hat at him in anger. Rogen, who co-created the series with Evan Goldberg, told PEOPLE that the director was "so game and so good and really tried so hard" during his days on set. "[He] worked really hard on the performance and the role and yeah, he was very impressive," he recalled. Howard also brought some of his own ideas to the scenes, Rogen shared. "It was his idea to throw his patented Imagine hat at me, which I thought was a true stroke of genius," Rogen said. "For him to weaponize his trademark look was a really miraculously funny idea." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Studio is now streaming on Apple TV+. The 77th Emmy Awards will air live on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. Read the original article on People
