A new box office report claimsSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsare headed towards huge opening weekends. TheMarvel Cinematic Universe’s first two movies of 2025 ended up disappointing at the box office, withThunderbolts*becoming one of the lowest performers among all movies in the MCU. However, it appears that the next superhero films to be released this year could escape that negative trend, with DC coming out of the gate with a huge win with the first movie in James Gunn’sDC Universe, while Marvel Studios bounces back with the Fantastic Four.
According toBox Office Theory,DC’sSupermanis early tracking for a domestic opening weekend in the $140-185 million range, while Marvel’sThe Fantastic Four: First Stepscould debut at $125-155 million.It is important to note that since both superhero movies are still a fair bit away, tracking for their domestic openings will fluctuate as they get closer to release. That said, the projections are exciting, as theupcoming DCU moviecould be the major performer that the studio needs to launch a new universe, andMarvel’s slate of projectsafter the Fantastic Four reboot could carry the momentum of the film.
What Superman & The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Early Opening Weekend Projections Mean
Marvel And DC’s Plans Seem To Be Working As Expected
There is no denying thatSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsare the two biggest superhero movies of the year.James Gunn’s Superman filmreboots the hero and uses him to kickstart a whole new universe. Gunn has talked about how his10-year plan for the DC Universe hinges onSupermanbeing a hit. With its early domestic opening weekend projections in the $140-185 million range, of which only Thursday previews already look at a baseline of $22 million, it seems like the DCU will be off to a solid start.
The best domestic opening for a DCEU movie wasBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s $166 million, and Gunn’sSupermancould pass it based on the projections. As for Marvel, the studio recently sawCaptain America: Brave New Worldunderperform, whileThunderbolts*failed to meet the high expectations set for it after overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and the audience alike.The Fantastic Four: First Steps' projected opening weekend in the $125-155 million range could have it rank as high as the 12th best for an MCU movie if it hits the high end of the projections.
Our Take On Superman & The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Early Opening Weekend Projections
The Final Superhero Movies Of 2025 Are Set To Be Major Hits
Based on howSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepshave had great marketing, withSuperman’s latest traileronce again generating a lot of chatter online, and are focused on huge heroes, I did not expect anything less than what the early opening weekend projections predict. With a similar performance overseas, both films could be making their way toward the half-a-billion mark by the end of their first weekend in theaters. While it is still too early to tell if the projections will be met, I’m optimistic aboutSupermanandThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' box office runs.
Superman
Cast
Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
