Warner Bros.’ Superman and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps went head-to-head at the global box office in July 2025, with both films delivering strong opening numbers. While The Fantastic Four narrowly edged out Superman in worldwide debut figures, the competition highlights the ongoing appeal of superhero films despite industry debates about audience fatigue.
Superman Soars With $220 Million Global Opening
Superman, directed by James Gunn, kicked off Warner Bros.’ revamped DC Universe with a global opening of $220 million. The film earned $125 million domestically and $95 million internationally in its first weekend. This marks the third-biggest domestic opening of 2025, behind A Minecraft Movie and Lilo & Stitch.
The film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. It introduces a fresh take on the iconic hero, focusing on his early career and struggles with public perception. The movie benefited from strong IMAX screenings, contributing $30.4 million globally.
Despite its domestic success, Superman faced softer international numbers, particularly in Asia. In China, it opened with just $6.6 million, reflecting broader challenges for superhero films in the market. However, Latin America and Europe showed stronger performance, with Mexico leading international markets at $8.8 million.
The Fantastic Four Debuts With $218 Million Worldwide
Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, directed by Matt Shakman, opened the following weekend with $218 million globally. It earned $118 million in North America and $100 million overseas, slightly surpassing Superman in international earnings.
The film features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. Set in the 1960s, it follows the superhero team’s origins and their battle against cosmic threats. Critics praised the film, giving it an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
While its global opening was slightly higher than Superman, The Fantastic Four had a steeper drop in domestic attendance after its first day. Analysts noted that family audiences leaned more toward Superman, which held stronger in subsequent weekends.
Box Office Showdown: A Close Race
The two films had nearly identical opening numbers, with Superman at $220 million and The Fantastic Four at $218 million. However, Superman had a stronger domestic start ($125 million vs. $118 million), while The Fantastic Four performed better overseas ($100 million vs. $95 million).
“The whole notion of superhero fatigue can be put to rest. I always say it’s bad movie fatigue, not superhero fatigue,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.
Both films faced challenges. Superman struggled in some international markets due to its perceived “American hero” image. Meanwhile, The Fantastic Four had to overcome past franchise disappointments, including poorly received earlier adaptations.
Long-Term Performance and Future Prospects
After three weekends, Superman crossed $500 million globally, proving its staying power. The Fantastic Four is expected to reach a similar range, though its final tally will depend on international holds.
For Warner Bros., Superman marks a successful reboot of the DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran. Marvel, meanwhile, sees The Fantastic Four as a key setup for future Avengers films.
Credits: Data sourced from Warner Bros., Marvel Studios, and box office tracking reports.
