James Gunn's highly anticipated film 'Superman' has unequivocally ushered in a new era for DC Studios, serving as the inaugural silver-screen offering in co-chairmen and co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran's 'Chapter One: Gods and Monsters' slate. The movie swiftly demonstrated its immense potential, achieving a massive $21 million-plus in overall previews, including $2.8 million from exclusive Amazon Prime member screenings. This strong start set new box office records, becoming James Gunn's highest-grossing preview figure, surpassing 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's' $17.5 million, and marking the best preview performance of the year to date, outperforming Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch' ($14.5 million) and 'Captain America: Brave New World' ($12 million). It also significantly eclipsed Zack Snyder's 2013 'Man of Steel,' which earned $9 million in previews, and competently contended with Matt Reeves' 'The Batman's' $21.6 million, though 'Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice' still holds the record for a Superman-related movie with $27.7 million. Initial projections for a $100-130 million three-day opening were quickly surpassed, with the film accumulating over $137.9 million at the North American box office in just four days, achieving one of the biggest first Mondays in DC film history. Globally, 'Superman' amassed $232.9 million within days, including an impressive $95 million from international markets, later reaching around $260 million in the US overall.

The critical and audience reception for 'Superman' has been overwhelmingly positive, bolstering faith in DC's cinematic future. It boasts an impressive 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as the best for any Superman movie, even surpassing Richard Donner’s 1978 original (86%). Critics have also lauded it, with an 82% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the second-best reviewed Superman film after Donner's classic. Social media analytics firm RelishMix reported a massive social media universe of 953.8 million—20% higher than typical superhero genre films—driven by positive word-of-mouth praising the film's exuberant tone and dedication to its comic book roots. James Gunn, along with stars David Corenswet (Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), expressed immense excitement, particularly resonating with Indian audiences, with Gunn stating, “This really is a movie for the world and everyone and all the people of India.”

David Corenswet's casting as Superman has been widely celebrated for embodying an approachable hero, defined by his choice to be good rather than an untouchable god, a departure from previous interpretations. His portrayal presents a Superman who is relatable, friendly, and grounded in everyday problems, including a secret office romance and caring for a dog. This contrasts sharply with Zack Snyder's prior take in 'Man of Steel,' which was often criticized for prioritizing Superman's god-like status and depicting him with