James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman reboot has crashed and burned on HBO Max, leaving fans and industry insiders alike scratching their heads. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the hype, the film failed to soar past even Black Adam, a movie once labeled a flop under Gunn’s watch. Nielsen’s data reveals Superman racked up 513 million viewing minutes in its first three days, landing it at #4 on the Movies chart but missing the overall Top 10. And this is the part most people miss: Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts both outperformed it, with 750 million and 702 million minutes, respectively, in their opening days. Even on a daily average, Superman trails Captain America by 16 million minutes—a gap that likely widened after the weekend surge faded.
What’s more surprising? Superman underperformed compared to Black Adam, which drew 632 million minutes in its first three days on HBO Max. This is especially embarrassing for Gunn’s DCU, as Black Adam was the very film criticized when he took the reins at DC Studios in 2022. Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam even continued its success on Netflix, while Superman seems to be losing steam. Is this a sign that audience interest in Gunn’s vision is waning?
The trend doesn’t stop there. Gunn’s recent projects have struggled to find their footing. Peacemaker lost nearly 40% of its audience in Season 2 and was ultimately canceled, while Creature Commandos failed to chart on Nielsen. Now, Superman joins the list of disappointments, despite being positioned as a cornerstone of the new DCU. With a lackluster theatrical run ($615 million globally, barely edging out Black Adam internationally) and a weak streaming performance, the film feels less like a reboot and more like a red flag.
But here’s the real question: Is Gunn’s “new era” of DC already losing its power? The absence of a Superman sequel—replaced by Man of Tomorrow, which reportedly focuses more on Lex Luthor—raises eyebrows. Insiders suggest Gunn’s future at DC is uncertain, especially with the sale of Warner Bros. Discovery looming. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. has scheduled the Minecraft sequel just two weeks after Man of Tomorrow hits theaters in 2027, adding to the uncertainty.
This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about audience connection. While Gunn has championed characters like Lex Luthor as more relatable, Superman’s decline suggests fans aren’t buying in. So, what do you think? Is Gunn’s DCU on the right track, or is it time for a course correction? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
