Two of the biggest superhero movies of 2025, Superman and Fantastic Four: First Steps, are heading for a major showdown at the box office this summer. Early numbers show both films could have huge opening weekends and strong worldwide earnings.
Right now, Superman, directed by James Gunn, is expected to open between $140 million and $185 million in the U.S. Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps is tracking a bit lower, between $125 million and $155 million domestically.
Ticket sales already hint at strong audience interest. Superman has broken Fandango’s record for first-day ticket sales for 2025, beating Fantastic Four by a small margin. Trailer views tell a similar story—Superman got 24 million views in its first 24 hours, while Fantastic Four reached 21 million.
Superman will hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Fantastic Four will follow on July 25, 2025, just two weeks later. With both movies releasing so close together, they may compete for the same audiences, especially with Jurassic World: Rebirth also arriving this summer.
Experts believe Superman could make $700 million to $800 million globally, giving it a shot at becoming the year’s biggest comic book movie. Fantastic Four may finish closer to $600 million, which would still be a solid win for Marvel.
Both studios are under pressure. Marvel hopes Fantastic Four will help after a slow start to 2025. Warner Bros. and DC are counting on Superman to launch their new cinematic universe.
The competition is close, but early signs give Superman a slight lead. The final results will depend on reviews, fan reactions, and word-of-mouth as summer movie season heats up.
