For subscribers
Superman can’t save Hollywood from superhero fatigue
Studio executives shouldn’t see strong box office numbers as proof the comic book genre is back from the precipice of death.
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
In a high-profile relaunch with such oversized stakes, it’s tempting to latch on to a “Superman saves the day” narrative.
PHOTO: WBEI 2025
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
Jason Bailey
James Gunn’s much-discussed reboot of Superman is a hit, rustling up US$125 million (S$160.4 million) domestically and another US$95 million from 79 international markets, but the coverage of its success isn’t merely that of a blockbuster. “‘Superman’ saves the day for DC Studios,” announced the Hollywood Reporter, while a New York Times headline noted, “With US$217 million in ticket sales, ‘Superman’ helps save Warner Bros., too”.
In a high-profile relaunch with such oversized stakes, it’s tempting to latch on to a “Superman saves the day” narrative. Perhaps, in the light of these record-breaking returns, not only Warner Bros Discovery and DC but the comic book movie itself has been brought back from the precipice of death. Hollywood executives would be wise to temper their excitement about the subgenre, though, because the truth is a bit more complicated.
