Netflix CEO Suggests ‘Superman’ Underperformed at the Box Office

Although Superman was undeniably a hit with critics and audiences alike, it sounds like it was not the box office earner that some may have assumed it was. Despite successfully jumpstarting the rebooted DCU Universe and setting up a sequel, Netflix has seemingly claimed that the film may have underperformed during its opening weeks, which led to a shortened theatrical window before becoming available to watch at home.

While speaking at a Senate hearing (via ComicBookMovie), Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos commented on the streamer’s commitment to a 45-day theatrical window for Warner Bros. films. The executive admitted that the window will shift slightly depending on how movies perform at the box office, citing Superman as an example of one that landed on digital sooner rather than later. While James Gunn previously stated that his 2025 blockbuster hit digital platforms early in order to line up with Peacemaker, Netflix suggested that it was the box office performance that dictated the decision.

“[45 days] is the industry standard for self-enforcement. However, routinely, movies that underperform, the window moves a little bit. Superman was a little shorter window. And Sinners was a little longer window.”

It’s a good time to remind folks that Superman, which released in theaters on Jul. 11, 2025, arrived on digital platforms 35 days later on Aug. 15. It was originally reported that it was due to hit digital on Aug. 26, but the date was bumped up by more than 10 days while the film was still playing in theaters worldwide. According to Gunn, a part of the reason for moving up Superman‘s home debut was Peacemaker Season 2, which premiered on HBO Max on Aug. 21. Given that both projects were directly connected, it made sense at the time. However, if Netflix is to be believed, the reason could be two-fold, at the very least. Here is what Gunn said back in August:

“Well, it’s very complicated, but the truth is it is because of ‘Peacemaker.’ I originally thought ‘Peacemaker’ was going to be coming out next month. There was a lot of things that are beyond our control, so that ‘Peacemaker’ is coming out now, and, at the end of the day, I wanted everyone to be able to see ‘Superman’ that wanted to, even those people who couldn’t get to a theater before ‘Peacemaker.’And that’s really the reason for it.”

Everything We Know About ‘Man of Tomorrow’

Before Supergirl hits theaters this summer, DCU fans are already anticipating the next chapter of the Superman saga. Officially titled Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming film is set to be directed by James Gunn, based on a script he wrote last year. Despite not being described as a direct Superman sequel early on, everything we know about the film screams Superman 2. Man of Tomorrow will star David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman, as well as Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, reprising his villainous role after a brief appearance in HBO Max’s Peacemaker Season 2.

Man of Tomorrow is set to hit theaters on Jul. 9, 2027, a few months before the long-awaited The Batman – Part II releases in October. In addition to Corenswet and Hoult, the confirmed cast includes Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., and DCU newcomer Lars Eidinger as Brainiac. Plot details remain scarce, but Man of Tomorrow is expected to feature Superman and Lex Luthor joining forces to take down Brainiac.