Superman by James Gunn hits 13 million views on HBO Max in 10 days, boosting DC catalog

Superman – Foto: Warner Bros./Jessica Miglio

The film Superman, directed by James Gunn and released in theaters in July 2025, premiered on HBO Max on September 19, swiftly claiming the top spot in the platform’s global rankings. The production, the first feature of the new DC Universe (DCU), amassed 13 million views in its first 10 days, surpassing the previous record set by Barbie in 2023. This performance underscores the character’s enduring popularity and the success of Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategy to prioritize streaming after a box office haul of US$615 million.

David Corenswet stars as Clark Kent in the film, which explores the hero’s early years as a reporter in Metropolis alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The narrative centers on ethical dilemmas and global action without revisiting the Kryptonian’s origin story. The release aligns with Luthor’s return in the second season of Peacemaker, boosting engagement with the DC catalog.

• Key launch milestones: 1.3 million views in the U.S. in the first three days.
• Comparison to predecessors: Outperforms Zack Snyder’s Justice League, with 2.2 million views in seven days in 2021.
• Budget impact: Produced for US$225 million, the film ranks as the eighth most profitable of 2025.

Launch strategy fuels streaming dominance

Warner Bros. Discovery chose to release Superman on HBO Max just two months after its theatrical run, accelerating access for subscribers. This approach, aligned with recent successes like Barbie, aims to maximize revenue from video-on-demand before full catalog integration. The film also launched on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV+ in August, generating over US$25 million in rentals.

James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, timed the release to coincide with a Peacemaker episode advancing Luthor’s storyline, creating a seamless content flow. This synchronization led to both productions topping HBO Max rankings consecutively. The platform reported a 30% higher-than-expected spike in searches for DC heroes during the debut week.

Classic hero titles see viewership spikes

Other Superman titles on HBO Max experienced significant viewership increases following the new film’s debut.

The documentary Super/Man: The Story of Christopher Reeve, from 2024, saw a 670% viewership surge in the week of September 15-21 compared to the previous week. It explores the life of the actor who defined the character in the 1970s and 1980s, featuring family and colleague testimonials.

Superman: The Movie, the 1978 classic directed by Richard Donner, recorded a 155% viewership increase, cementing its cultural significance. The film introduced Christopher Reeve as the hero and set standards for comic book adaptations.

Superman Returns, from 2006 starring Brandon Routh, rose 120%, attracting fans comparing different generations of the character. The production revisited elements of the original films in a post-1980s narrative.

Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder in 2013, gained 40%, benefiting from the “halo effect” of the new DCU despite belonging to a prior universe. These figures highlight renewed interest in the character’s legacy.

Cast and production mark new DC era

David Corenswet takes on the mantle of the Man of Steel with an approach balancing action and humanity, inspired by comics like All-Star Superman. Rachel Brosnahan portrays Lois Lane as a determined journalist, while Nicholas Hoult plays Luthor as a calculating antagonist entangled in global conflicts. Nathan Fillion appears as Guy Gardner, Green Lantern, and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, introducing elements of The Authority team.

Filmed in locations like Cleveland to depict Metropolis, the production used visual effects for flight and battle scenes, earning 83% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Gunn wrote and directed the film, produced alongside Peter Safran, with a controlled budget emphasizing an optimistic narrative. The movie avoids dark tones, focusing on themes of hope and justice in a skeptical world.

Secondary characters like Mister Terrific, played by Edi Gathegi, and Metamorpho, by Anthony Carrigan, set the stage for potential HBO Max spin-offs. The strategy includes planned series, such as one centered on Jimmy Olsen with Skyler Gisondo, expanding the universe without overloading the main storyline.

Critical reception highlights humanist tone

Critics praised the balance of spectacle and emotional depth in Gunn’s film. Variety noted the layered internal conflict of Clark Kent, navigating his alien heritage and human identity. The film earned an average rating of 7.5 on aggregators, with praise for the chemistry between Corenswet and Brosnahan.

Fans on social media debated the return of classic elements, like the dog Krypto, featured in a short animated sequence on the platform. Omitting a full origin story allowed focus on current dilemmas, such as interventions in global wars orchestrated by Luthor.

The initial success suggests continuity, with Man of Tomorrow scheduled for July 2027, bringing back the core trio and introducing Luthor’s live-action armor for the first time.

DC catalog expansion gains momentum

Superman’s debut revitalized searches for DC content on HBO Max, with series like Peacemaker seeing a 91% viewership spike during the theatrical release week. This interconnectedness strengthens the new DCU ecosystem, which includes Green Lanterns in development.

The catalog now offers a cohesive timeline, from animations like Creature Commandos to recent live-action projects. Subscribers accessed over 20% of DC titles in the two weeks post-debut, per Warner’s internal data.

This trend reflects demand for shared narratives, akin to the MCU but tailored to Gunn’s unique tone.