Superman has passed a major Marvel Cinematic Universe movie at the box office, and it bodes well for the overall performance of the DC Universe’s first film. James Gunn’s DCU started with Creature Commandos on the small screen, which the director has said was an appetizer before Superman really got things kicking for the DCU’s Chapter One in theaters.
With differing reports about Superman‘s budget coming out — the official stance is that the DC movie is priced at around $225 million — the film’s performance has been watched closely in what has been a difficult year for superhero movies. Before Superman, Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* underperformed. However, the Man of Steel is holding strong for DC.
According to The Numbers, Superman‘s domestic box office has now passed that of Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok. Superman‘s domestic total is currently at 316.2 million, while Chris Hemsworth’s third Thor movie stands at $315 million. The MCU movie was a huge hit for the franchise, becoming one of its most popular releases. Superman‘s box office performance is encouraging for future DC movies.
What Superman Passing Thor: Ragnarok At The Domestic Box Office Means
Thor: Ragnarok went on to end its theatrical run with $850.5 million worldwide. While James Gunn’s Superman movie has passed the MCU entry at the domestic box office, its chances of accomplishing the same feat globally are nonexistent. Superman has performed strongly domestically, but the same can’t be said about its international numbers, as the DC movie underperformed in that area.
At the time of writing, Superman‘s international total sits at $235 million. Thor: Ragnarok ended its box office run with $535.4 million outside the domestic box office. Superman‘s global cume is now at $551.2 million, which means that the MCU movie comes close to all of Superman’s box office so far, only with its international box office, a formidable feat.
While Thor: Ragnarok‘s international and global totals might be out of reach for the Man of Steel, DC’s new Superman movie could continue to beat MCU entries when it comes to the domestic box office. At $318.6 million, Iron Man is the next MCU movie set to be bested by Superman at the domestic box office.
Our Take On Superman Passing Thor: Ragnarok At The Domestic Box Office
Superman‘s domestic box office flying past Thor: Ragnarok is exciting. While the DC movie’s international performance might not be the most encouraging, the domestic numbers are positive and show that the new franchise can thrive under James Gunn’s creative direction. Superman has already broken studio records at the domestic box office, becoming Warner Bros.’ 15th highest-grossing movie domestically.
That is a major win for the first movie in a new cinematic universe. Couple that with the fact that Superman had to make up for the baggage of the controversial DCEU and how Marvel movies have failed to take off in 2025, and the Man of Steel’s feats look even better. Superman‘s domestic box office sets up DC’s future.
Source: The Numbers
