James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Reboot Makes 2026 Comeback on Streaming Before DCU’s ‘Supergirl’ Movie & ‘Lanterns’ Series

James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe is gearing up for a massive 2026, but it all starts with an unexpected comeback by Superman himself. In 2025, James Gunn gave comic book fans one of the best superhero movies in years (unless you’re a hardcore Zack Snyder, DCEU fan) with Superman, starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel. The movie was a critical and box office success, creating a strong foundation for the DCU’s future, which continues with this year’s Supergirl movie and HBO’s Lanterns series. But, before audiences get to see another Kryptonian on the big screen or the introduction of the Green Lantern Corps on the small screen, Superman is demanding you look up one more time, and it’s good news for the DCU’s future.

DCU fans are preparing for Supergirl‘s theatrical release in June the only way possible: by re-watching Superman. James Gunn’s 2025 blockbuster is streaming on HBO Max, and viewers cannot get enough of the movie. In fact, Superman is so popular on streaming that it’s the ninth most popular movie on HBO Max worldwide. The film faces tough competition within the Top 10, including 28 Years Later, M3GAN 2.0, and the recently released horror movie, Eye For An Eye.

If you weren’t emotionally ready for another actor to replace Henry Cavill as Superman, or you just haven’t found the time to watch the film yet, Superman was a tremendous adaptation of the character found in the pages of the DC Comics library, one that actually understood the meaning and importance of the character (sorry, Snyder fans, but you know it’s true). Corenswet’s Superman stood for peace and optimism, rather than looking badass on an oil rig and killing in his first solo movie. The film also featured amazing performances from Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

‘Superman’s Comeback Is a Great Sign for the DCU’s Future

Superman’s unexpected comeback on the streaming charts isn’t just great for HBO Max’s cash flow; it’s also a strong indicator of the DCU’s longevity. 2025 was certainly a strange year for superhero movies, with all three of the MCU’s movies underperforming at the box office and on streaming. But, while Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and Fantastic Four: First Steps were quickly knocked out of the Disney+ Top 10 after their streaming debuts, Superman has held strong on the streaming charts.

The film has repeatedly bounced in and out of the US and global HBO Max Top 10 chart, suggesting there’s a continued interest in James Gunn’s movie. This is a great sign for the DCU’s 2026 outings. Supergirl needs a strong box office performance to solidify the foundations that Superman built under the rebooted franchise. Lanterns will then test whether audiences care enough about the franchise to move over to HBO Max for a brand-new series set in the cinematic universe. But given the number of people still streaming Superman on the platform, that might not be a problem.

Superman Is Making Yet Another 2026 Comeback

David Corenswet as Superman

Warner Bros.

It’s not just on the streaming charts that the Man of Steel has re-emerged in 2026. After leading his own movie in 2025, which included a brief cameo from Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, the characters will switch roles in 2026’s Supergirl. Alcock, unsurprisingly, leads the movie, while Corenswet is confirmed to make a cameo as Superman in the film.