DC Wins Fantastic Four vs. Superman’s Box Office Opening Contest

With The Fantastic Four: First Steps debuting alongside Superman‘s ongoing run, the box office now sees two major superhero titles driving summer totals. While First Steps opened slightly below Superman domestically and globally, it almost knocked the DC flick out on the ropes.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps box office loses to Superman’s global opening

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps debuted with a domestic opening of $118 million across 4,125 theaters. (via Deadline)

Although lower than Superman’s $125 million opening earlier this month, the film posted a higher international debut of $100 million, compared to Superman’s $95 million overseas launch. This gave Fantastic Four a $218 million global opening, which still narrowly lost to Superman’s $220 million worldwide opening.

In key overseas markets, Fantastic Four outpaced recent superhero films. It earned $6.2M in Mexico, $5.7M in the UK, $3.5M in France, $2.6M in Brazil, and $2.4M in Italy. IMAX accounted for 14% of the domestic total, around $16 million.

The film’s audience skewed younger, with 71% under 35, and strong support from Latino/Hispanic (31%) and Asian (11%) moviegoers. Despite a sharp 42% Saturday drop, Disney projected Sunday earnings of $27.8 million. It’ll be interesting to see if The Fantastic Four: First Steps manages to take over Superman’s second weekend numbers and total box office.

Superman holds strong to pass key milestone

James Gunn’s Superman earned $24.8 million in its third domestic weekend, bringing its North American total to $289.5 million. The film’s global tally has now reached $502.7 million, with $213.2 million from international markets.

During its third weekend, Superman showed a 57% drop from the prior frame. It remains a strong performer amid summer competition, holding steady against Jurassic World Rebirth and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Its current total positions it as one of the top-grossing superhero films of 2025 so far.

Both Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are currently playing in theaters.

Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.

Source: Comingsoon.net