Batman’s iconic $2.4 billion film trilogy retrospectively proves Superman by no means wanted to make a mindboggling field workplace for the DCU. Superman‘s 2025 launch has already seen the film internet the largest field workplace outcomes of the yr for the superhero style, however the journey has solely simply begun for the DCU timeline.
Whereas Superman‘s field workplace outcomes are the style’s highest in 2025, the film being far off the very best superhero film field workplace outcomes of all time has raised questions relating to what this implies for the DCU itself. Nevertheless, considered one of Batman’s strongest film collection suggests Superman has set the DCU on a stable path.
The Darkish Knight Trilogy Proves A Debut Superhero Film’s Field Workplace Would not Want To Be Large To Construct A Robust Franchise
Even over a decade after its conclusion, the Darkish Knight trilogy remains to be probably the most necessary superhero film collection of all time. That is before everything when it comes to its vital reception – with it profitable the hearts of hardcore superhero followers and people in any other case uninterested within the style alike – however its field workplace can be nonetheless colossal.
Over the course of three movies, the Darkish Knight trilogy amassed $2.4 billion when it comes to its worldwide field workplace (as per The Numbers). The Darkish Knight was additionally one of many very first superhero films to internet itself over a billion, which was a monumental benchmark and a giant signal of what was to return for the style.
Nevertheless, it is value noting that the primary movie within the trilogy was a substantial approach off this field workplace consequence. In reality, Batman Begins‘ personal worldwide field workplace is available in at a far decrease quantity, having made $356 million. That stated, it is clear this decrease consequence constructed to far greater issues.
Whereas Batman Begins wasn’t as ground-breakingly profitable as its sequels financially, it did see optimistic vital reception, and constructed curiosity and belief within the franchise that may in the end play key roles in The Darkish Knight‘s personal main successes. That is attention-grabbing to think about on many ranges, however is most related proper now when it comes to the discussions across the DCU.
2025’s Superman has already earned significantly greater than Batman Begins due to its now $578 million field workplace (as reported by The Numbers), however conversations round these numbers have questioned if it wanted to make extra to be really promising for the DCU. Nevertheless, Batman Begins‘ personal outcomes present franchises do not want $1 billion from out of the gate.
Superman’s Evaluate Scores Mattered Extra Than Its Field Workplace (Simply Like Batman Begins)
In the end, the primary movie in an expanded interconnected franchise is all the time going to be a movie with quite a lot of pressures. It is also a launch with none of the advantages a movie set later in a franchise can have by constructing extra straight on what got here earlier than.
That is clear with Batman Begins, which has to spend some appreciable time and vitality establishing the world audiences are set to expertise over the course of the trilogy – one thing that made it maybe rather less interesting to broad audiences initially, particularly when the Batman films earlier than it had fallen flat.
As such, what arguably mattered extra with Batman Begins was that it confirmed the universe and the tales inside it had been participating. This may pay dividends through phrase of mouth, and meant issues like DVD gross sales would additionally lead to bolstered field workplace outcomes for future releases from those that later gave the movie a shot.
With Superman coming after the top of the DCEU and a collection of movies falling flat within the franchise’s remaining years – and with the superhero style being extra of a state of flux financially – it is arguably in the identical place. With this in thoughts, it stands to purpose what’s additionally most necessary right here is the vital reception to the movie.
Curiously, Superman‘s Rotten Tomatoes scores at the moment sit near Batman Begins‘ scores, with Superman‘s 83% Tomatometer and 91% Popcornmeter being stable outcomes by themselves, and in addition when in comparison with Begins‘ personal 84% and 94% scores. Because it stands, this implies the DCU can comply with the trajectory of the Batman film collection, as long as its follow-ups keep these scores.
The Darkish Knight Trilogy’s Outcomes Recommend Superman Is On The Proper Observe
Whereas it is not assured that Superman‘s optimistic vital reception will consequence within the subsequent DCU films making billions, it actually appears as if its success pays dividends figuratively and actually very quickly. Supergirl is the following film within the DCU timeline, and continues on in a way from the 2025 film, following Supergirl’s cameo in Superman‘s ending.
With Supergirl clearly being the 2025 movie’s successor of kinds – and being set to indicate a grander aspect to the DCU in some methods, given the shaggy dog story it adapts explores the vast reaches of area – it is easy to see the way it appears the DCU may comply with the Darkish Knight trilogy’s trajectory.
Even failing that, James Gunn has revealed he is already engaged on a narrative that serves as a sequel of kinds to Superman – even when he is additionally said it is not Superman 2. This venture may work to capitalize on Superman‘s success greater than Supergirl, although Superman‘s direct sequel is bound to profit greatest if and when it emerges.
Trying again, the Darkish Knight trilogy’s field workplace empire is a testomony to its high quality – nevertheless it’s additionally a testomony to how among the greatest franchises construct momentum over time. At the moment, it appears just like the DCU is ready to reflect it on this regard, although the longer term after Superman could be very a lot nonetheless open.
Superman
9/10
- Launch Date
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July 11, 2025
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Producers
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Peter Safran