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Superman Remains Box Office King

Superman earned $57.3 million this weekend while new films struggled to attract audiences.

July 20, 2025 at 03:07 PM

Superman No. 1 Again at Box Office, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Smurfs Disappoint

Superman retained the box office crown as three new releases failed to pack a punch in theaters.

Superman Leads Box Office While New Releases Struggle

Superman continues to dominate the box office, earning $57.3 million in its second weekend, down 54% from its debut. The film has made $236 million domestically and $406 million globally. Despite this success, three new films struggled to attract viewers. Sony's I Know What You Did Last Summer opened in third place with only $13 million, and was met with negative reviews. The animated Smurfs movie debuted poorly at fourth place with $11 million, far below its $58 million production budget. While A24's Eddington debuted in seventh place with $4.2 million, it failed to appeal to audiences with its poor CinemaScore ranking. Overall, box office returns are 15% ahead of last year but still lag behind pre-pandemic numbers from 2019.

Key Takeaways

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Superman is leading the box office with significant earnings.

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New releases like I Know What You Did Last Summer and Smurfs underperformed.

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Negative reviews are impacting audience turnout for new films.

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Production budgets are affecting profitability expectations.

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Upcoming films may increase competition during the summer season.

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Box office returns are improving year-on-year but trail pre-pandemic levels.

"Superman is on track to launch a new phase of superhero movies for DC Studios."

This highlights the studio's expectations for the franchise's future.

"Nostalgia isn’t nearly as potent as Sony might have hoped for I Know What You Did Last Summer."

This indicates challenges faced by studios in reviving older franchises.

"Westerns generally start slowly and go on long runs after they open."

Insight into the potential for longevity in box office performance beyond initial earnings.

"The current lineup in theaters is strong, with a broad selection of big titles."

This suggests optimism for continued audience engagement despite the recent box office struggles.

The performance of Superman highlights the ongoing challenge for new releases in a crowded summer market. While established franchises continue to perform well, new titles struggle despite nostalgic appeal or notable casts. The low earnings of I Know What You Did Last Summer and Smurfs suggest that sheer recognition is not enough to draw in audiences. With blockbuster expectations, studios face significant pressure to deliver engaging content or risk disappointing results. As competition increases with upcoming superhero films, studios must adapt strategies to ensure profitability and relevance in a rapidly changing industry.