James Gunn’s Superman Dominates U.S., Struggles Overseas!

James Gunn’s Superman debuted with a thunderous start at the domestic box office. While U.S. audiences showed up in full force, the international reception was notably muted. The final tally reveals a striking divide between domestic dominance and overseas struggles.

James Gunn’s Superman Dominates Domestically

The film opened to a mighty $125 million in the U.S., and has already earned $253.2 million domestically. Globally, the film has reached $426.2 million as of July 22, with just $173 million coming from international markets.

This overseas figure underperforms expectations of $100–125 million and makes up only 42% of global revenue. In contrast:

Man of Steel (2013): 57% from international markets
Batman v Superman (2016): 62% from international markets

Clearly, international audiences aren’t connecting with James Gunn’s Superman as deeply as U.S. viewers are.

Why James Gunn’s Superman Faces Global Challenges

Superman has always been viewed as a deeply American symbol, which often complicates his appeal abroad. To make the character more inclusive, Gunn updated the classic motto from “the American way” to “the human way.” Still, other factors seem to be at play.

“There’s a certain amount of anti-American sentiment around the world right now. It isn’t really helping us. So I think it’s just a matter of letting something grow.”
— James Gunn

In China, once a reliable market for superhero films, Western blockbusters are losing ground. The country has turned toward nationalist storytelling, a trend that started during the Trump era and has intensified in recent years.

Political Crossfire: Trump’s Superman Meme

On opening day, Donald Trump posted a meme of himself dressed as Superman. While seemingly unrelated to the film, it stirred online conversations that may have impacted international perception.

Though Gunn did not comment on the meme, he did acknowledge that real-world politics — including global views on America — are influencing the film’s overseas performance.

Gunn’s Long-Term Vision for the DCU

Despite global setbacks, Gunn remains optimistic about what James Gunn’s Superman means for the future of the DC Universe.

“This is just the seed of the tree that Peter and I have been watering for the past three years… To have it start off so positively has been incredibly overwhelming.”
— James Gunn

Moreover, the film’s strong domestic turnout sets a solid foundation for what’s ahead. As the DCU continues to expand, and more stories unfold, James Gunn remains optimistic that audiences worldwide will gradually embrace this reimagined Superman. In the long run, the creative vision behind the character could resonate beyond borders, paving the way for global success.