After months of dismal performance and leadership scrutiny, Warner Bros. is staging an astonishing comeback at the box office.
The studio scored its fifth consecutive No. 1 release over the weekend with the debut of Superman, which generated an estimated $122 million in North American ticket sales between Thursday and Sunday.
The film also grossed $95 million overseas, pushing its global weekend haul to $217 million.
The success of Superman caps off a remarkable winning streak for Warner Bros., following surprise hit Minecraft: The Movie and a string of successful releases including Sinners, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and F1: The Movie.
Just four months ago, Warner Bros. had been languishing at the bottom of domestic market share rankings among major Hollywood studios.
“A hell of a run,” David Zaslav, the chief executive of Warner Bros. Discovery, said in a phone interview, NYT reported.
We’re organized, and we’re on the attack.
DC’s future hinges on ‘Superman’
The release of Superman represents a critical reboot for Warner’s long-troubled DC Studios division, which has trailed rival Marvel for more than a decade.
Directed by James Gunn and produced by Peter Safran — the duo now in charge of DC’s future content — Superman is being viewed as the franchise’s make-or-break moment.
Its early performance suggests the gamble may be paying off.
The film opened on 4,135 screens and averaged $29,504 per theater, according to Comscore.
Its strong reviews and strategic marketing — including exposure during Jurassic World Rebirth trailers and an aggressive online presence — helped turn the launch into a major moviegoing event.
Data from the 7.7 million people who saw the film in its first three days showed that moviegoers from both red and blue counties “are ignoring any political narratives from the right or left,” said Steve Buck, chief strategy officer of EntTelligence.
Box office rebounds ahead of earnings season
The return of big-ticket movie events has lifted overall summer ticket sales by 16.5% compared to last year.
Comscore estimates that the current weekend’s domestic sales are 26.1% higher than those from the recent Fourth of July holiday weekend.
In total, 2025 domestic ticket sales have reached $4.7 billion — up 15% from the same point in 2024.
Warner Bros. alone has brought in roughly $1.2 billion in North America this year, a 50% increase over its performance in the same period last year.
While still slightly behind Disney’s $1.26 billion, Warner’s rapid gains have surprised even industry veterans.
“This type of turnaround — from laggard to leader — is virtually unprecedented,” said one longtime studio executive.
What are analysts saying about Warner Bros. Discovery and IMAX stocks?
The market has responded positively. Warner Bros. Discovery shares have risen 31.9% since May, as confidence grows in the studio’s film slate and broader corporate strategy.
Barclays recently raised its price target on WBD stock from $9 to $13, citing the company’s planned split between news and entertainment operations.
The proposed restructuring could unlock further shareholder value, analysts say, particularly if global advertising conditions improve later in the year.
“They have a deal with Disney. Look I happen to think the company’s worth more than it’s selling for because I love the studio. Studio business is a great business,” Jim Cramer said last month of Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.’ film division has remained its most bankable asset amid industry turbulence, and its recent string of hits only reinforces that view.
Meanwhile, IMAX is also benefiting from the film resurgence.
Analyst David Joyce wrote in a research note last week that growing demand for premium viewing experiences is driving box office performance.
IMAX generated 23% of total ticket sales during the F1 movie’s opening weekend and has delivered 20% or more of domestic debuts for three major releases in recent months.
Joyce rates IMAX a Buy with an 18% upside from current levels. He believes more screens and more IMAX-tailored content will fuel continued growth.
Despite the upbeat box office and Wall Street response, risks remain.
President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs has stirred fears of rising consumer prices, which could curtail discretionary spending, including moviegoing.
Studios are closely watching inflation trends and geopolitical developments, mindful of how quickly momentum can shift.
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