What would a $90 million debut weekend signify for Superman?

      As we near the beginning of a new chapter for DC Films, all attention is on the opening weekend of Superman. Can James Gunn successfully breathe new life into DC heroes on screen and deliver a major comic book film in a year that hasn't treated the genre kindly?

      Box office projections for Gunn’s Superman have finally emerged, offering some intriguing forecasts. Bold estimates suggest the film could reach around $135 million, which would be remarkable for a year that has seen few films opening above $100 million. Some projections propose a more conservative range of $90 million to $120 million, which, to be fair, could still be quite satisfying.

      The $135 million figure comes from the National Research Group, a top tracking service, according to sources familiar with the information. Reportedly, the lower estimates have originated from insiders at Warner Bros. and DC Films, as the studio seeks to manage expectations due to the current volatility in the genre.

      Conversely, there’s an even more optimistic prediction estimating a domestic opening as high as $175 million. This would easily surpass the $116 million debut of Zack Snyder’s 2013 film Man of Steel and the $166 million opening of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice from 2016. This higher projection would align Superman with the last two Batman films by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight Rises ($160.9 million) and The Dark Knight ($158.4 million). According to THR, this figure comes from "box office experts who track social metrics."

      Regarding the lower projections, many believe that anything below $100 million would raise significant concerns. However, it would still be comparable with other superhero films this year, like Thunderbolts, which opened with just $74 million domestically, and Captain America: Brave New World, which debuted at $88.5 million and reached $100 million over the extended four-day weekend.

      Launching at $90 million would not bode well for Superman, although it would still be an improvement over many competitors. Looking to 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, the potential for a major blockbuster opening still exists, as its domestic debut was over $211 million. Admittedly, this Superman is tasked with reviving the DCU following a string of disappointing films, yet seeing a projected $90 million more than doubled by a multiverse Deadpool sequel is quite surprising.

      If we're honest, given the marketing efforts and the eagerness from fans for a comic book blockbuster to succeed, Superman is likely to open above $100 million, but it’s perplexing that this can’t be stated with certainty.

      What are your thoughts on Superman's opening? Can James Gunn achieve a $175 million launch, or would a range of $120 million be more realistic? Share your opinions by contacting our social channels @FlickeringMyth…

      “Superman tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent from Smallville, Kansas. He embodies truth, justice, and the American way, driven by human compassion in a world that often views kindness as outdated.”

      Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman stars David Corenswet as Ka’lel/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern/Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, María Gabriela De Faría as The Engineer, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe, Terence Rosemore as Otis, with Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell portraying Jonathan and Martha Kent.