‘Superman' flexes its might in second weekend with $57.3 million
None of the week's new releases — 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' 'Smurfs,' and 'Eddington' — came close to touching Warner Bros. and DC Studios' superhero success. 'Superman' dipped 54% from its domestic opening, an average decline for a big summer film.
In two weeks, 'Superman' has grossed $406.8 million worldwide, a good start for the movie DC Studios is banking on to restart its movie operations. A big test looms next weekend, when the Walt Disney Co. releases Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps.'
Strong audience scores and good reviews should help propel the $225 million-budgeted 'Superman' toward profitability in the coming weeks. For Warner Bros. and DC Studios, 'Superman' is key to kicking off a 10-year plan for the comic book adaptation studio. Co-heads Gunn and Peter Safra were tasked with rehabilitating the flagging operation. Next on tap are the films 'Supergirl' and 'Clayface' in 2026.
But 'Superman' is far from flying solo in theaters right now. Universal Pictures' 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' came in second this weekend, with $23.4 million in its third week of release. The seventh 'Jurassic' movie, this one starring Scarlett Johansson, held its own despite the competition from 'Superman.' In three weeks, it accrued $648 million worldwide.
Apple Studios and Warner Bros.' 'F1: The Movie' has also shown legs, especially internationally. In its fourth weekend, the Brad Pitt racing drama dipped just 26% domestically, bringing in $9.6 million in North America, and another $29.5 million overseas. Its global total stands at $460.8 million.
But both of the biggest new releases — Sony Pictures' 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' and Paramount Pictures' 'Smurfs' — fell flat.
'I Know What You Did Last Summer' opened with $13 million, a fair result for a movie budgeted at a modest $18 million, but a disappointing opening for a well-known horror franchise. The film, directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, is set 27 years after the 1997 original. Teenagers played by Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders are again haunted for covering up a car accident.
The movie's reviews (38% 'fresh' on Rotten Tomatoes) were poor for 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' and audiences graded it similarly. The film notched a 'C+' on CinemaScore. The original collected $72.6 million in its domestic run in 1997.
Paramount Pictures' 'Smurfs' debuted in fourth place this weekend with $11 million. The latest big-screen reboot for the woodland blue creatures prominently features Rihanna as the voice of Smurfette. But reviews (21% 'fresh' on Rotten Tomatoes) were terrible. Audiences were kinder, giving it a 'B+' on CinemaScore, but the $58 million-budgeted release will depend largely on its international sales. In 56 overseas markets, 'Smurfs' earned $22.6 million.
Ari Aster's 'Eddington' opened with $4.2 million on 2,111 screens for A24. Since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, 'Eddington' has been particularly divisive. The pandemic-set Western features Joaquin Phoenix as the right-wing sheriff of a small New Mexico town who faces off with its liberal mayor (Pedro Pascal).
While Aster's first film, 2018's 'Heredity' ($82.8 million worldwide against a $10 million budget) helped establish A24 as an indie powerhouse, but the less-than-stellar launch of 'Eddington' marks the second box-office disappointment for Aster. His 2023 film 'Beau Is Afraid' cost $35 million to make but collected just $12.4 million worldwide. 'Eddington' cost about $25 million to produce. Audiences gave it a 'C+' on CinemaScore. None of Aster's previous films have been graded higher.
Yet collectively, Hollywood is enjoying a very good summer. According to data firm Comscore, the 2025 summer box office is up 15.9% over the same period last year, with the year-to-date sales running 15% ahead of 2025. Summer ticket sales have amassed about $2.6 billion domestically, according to Comscore.
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
1. 'Superman,' $57.3 million.
2. 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' $23.4 million.
3. 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' $13 million.
4. 'Smurfs,' $11 million.
5, 'F1: The Movie,' $9.6 million.
6. 'How to Train Your Dragon,' $5.4 million.
7. 'Eddington,' $4.3 million.
8. 'Elio,' $2 million.
9. 'Lilo & Stitch,' $1.5 million.
10. '28 Years Later,' $1.3 million.
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National Observer
3 hours ago
- National Observer
MOVIES: The summer's biggest film (probably) and a couple of small heartfelt gems
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Along with her story, we get a good history lesson about her country. She's warned it's dangerous out there and advised to stay home and 'stop being stupid.' She defies the rules, by running for one thing, by refusing to wear a veil for another. She is confronted by militia soldiers now and then with proclamations that wearing shorts and a tee-shirt is a sin. She kept at it though, secretly training at night, with a brother as coach and her father's encouragement. She got on to the national Olympics team, competed in Beijing and through most of the film is trying to get ready for the London Olympics. But there are setbacks and tragedies. She pays human traffickers to get her to Europe and that's a harrowing trip. She dies. How isn't exactly known, but based on the book by Giuseppe Catozzella we get a possible idea. (People in Vancouver might remember he came to the writer's festival there when he wrote the book). 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Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Annual Regina comic book convention goes the way of planet Krypton
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Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Toronto Star
Annual Regina comic book convention goes the way of planet Krypton
REGINA - An annual Saskatchewan comic and pop culture convention has gone the way of Superman's planet Krypton, leaving behind a trail of sad and disappointed fans. The Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo says on social media it's dissolving due to low attendance in recent years, venue issues and other problems.
