Marvel and DC Movies Released in the Same Month: A Comparison of Box Office Winners

Marvel and DC superhero films have frequently gone head-to-head at the box office, with July 2025 set to witness their eighth simultaneous release. This ongoing rivalry underscores the fierce competition between the two powerhouse studios. The release of films from each franchise within the same month often leads to dramatic variations in box office performance, highlighting the unpredictable nature of audience preferences.

The first instance of this direct competition occurred in June 2011 when X-Men: First Class and Green Lantern premiered in close succession. Fast-forward to July 2025, and the stakes are high with the anticipated releases of DC’s Superman reboot and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. As fans eagerly await the outcome, it is essential to reflect on previous encounters to determine which franchise has fared better in similar situations.

8 X-Men: First Class & Green Lantern

X-Men: First Class Prevails in June 2011

On their respective release dates of June 3 and June 17, 2011, X-Men: First Class and Green Lantern were markedly distinct from mainstream superhero franchises. As the fifth entry in the X-Men saga from 20th Century Fox, X-Men: First Class served as a pivotal prequel, establishing new narrative possibilities and connections to its predecessors. Its success can be attributed to a host of factors including a strong cast, engaging storytelling, and overall production quality.

In contrast, Green Lantern, featuring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, struggled with poor reception despite having prior connections to the superhero genre through Reynolds’ earlier role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. With a production budget estimated between $140-$160 million, X-Men: First Class raked in a robust $353 million worldwide, far overshadowing Green Lantern‘s disappointing $237.2 million against a $200 million budget. Warner Bros.originally envisioned Green Lantern as the inaugural film of a broader DC franchise, but its underperformance derailed those plans.

7 The Dark Knight Rises & The Amazing Spider-Man

The Dark Knight Rises Triumphs in July 2012

The following year brought a fierce clash between The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man. Released on July 20, The Dark Knight Rises concluded Christopher Nolan’s renowned Batman trilogy, amassing a staggering $1.115 billion, which not only set records for the Batman legacy but also marked it as the seventh highest-grossing film of all time at its release.

On the other hand, Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man, which premiered earlier on July 3, garnered $758.7 million. Despite its solid performance, the film could not match the monumental anticipation and excitement surrounding Nolan’s conclusion of his trilogy. Although there have been continued calls from fans for Nolan’s return to Batman, the continuation of both character arcs remains uncertain.

6 Thor: Ragnarok & Justice League

Thor: Ragnarok Reigns in November 2017

November 2017 marked a significant showdown between the MCU and DCEU, featuring the release of Thor: Ragnarok and Justice League. Premiering on November 3 and 17 respectively, expectations were high for the tightly-knit ensemble cast of Justice League, which spotlighted iconic characters like Superman and Batman. However, it was Thor: Ragnarok that stole the spotlight, generating a substantial $855 million, a notable achievement in the MCU.

In contrast, Justice League, with a budget of approximately $300 million, fell short with only $661.3 million in box office returns. Various behind-the-scenes issues, including a tumultuous production process, hampered its success and disappointed both critics and fans.

5 Aquaman & Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (& Once Upon A Deadpool)

Aquaman Dominates in December 2018

In the superhero genre’s boom period, December 2018 featured Aquaman facing off against Sony’s acclaimed animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.Aquaman emerged victorious, amassing a remarkable $1.152 billion against its competitor, which earned $394 million on a significantly smaller budget. Despite some divisive feedback, it was marketed effectively during the peak of superhero popularity.

In the same month, Once Upon a Deadpool, a re-edited version of Deadpool 2, grossed only $51.3 million in addition to the original film’s remarkable earnings. Nonetheless, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has since enjoyed success, paving the way for sequels and growth in Sony’s animated franchise.

4 Avengers: Endgame & Shazam!

Avengers: Endgame Outshines Shazam! in April 2019

April 2019 witnessed another monumental release with Avengers: Endgame and Shazam! sharing the spotlight. Released on April 26, 2019, Avengers: Endgame encapsulated a decade of storytelling, earning an unprecedented $2.799 billion at the box office. Its monumental success established it as the highest-grossing film for a time, until overtaken by “Avatar”upon re-release.

While Shazam! was produced on a much smaller budget and performed admirably with $367.8 million, it paled in comparison to the staggering figures recorded by the Avengers movie. Nevertheless, Shazam! received praise and positioned itself as a crucial part of the DCEU, sparking discussions for its sequel.

3 Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse & The Flash

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Triumphs in June 2023

The latest rivalry unfolded in June 2023 when Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse shattered expectations, grossing $690.8 million and establishing itself as Sony’s highest-grossing animated feature. In stark contrast, The Flash became one of the year’s most significant box office disappointments, accumulating only $271.4 million, despite its hefty production and promotional costs.

The film’s failure was largely attributed to a series of challenges, including production controversies surrounding lead actor Ezra Miller and significant narrative shifts within the DC extended universe. Conversely, the anticipation built over five years for the sequel to the beloved animated original proved beneficial for Across the Spider-Verse.

2 Venom: The Last Dance & Joker: Folie À Deux

Venom: The Last Dance Claims Victory in October 2024

October 2024 brought a unique matchup between Venom: The Last Dance and Joker: Folie À Deux. Resulting in lower-than-expected box office results, **Venom: The Last Dance** achieved modest success with $479 million versus Joker’s disappointing performance, which barely crossed $207.5 million against a $200 million budget.

However, interest in both movies continues to dwindle in the face of competing superhero narratives. While Venom: The Last Dance managed to bid farewell to its lead character, the turbulent reception of Joker: Folie À Deux exemplified audience fatigue with the superhero genre.

1 Superman & The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Superman & The Fantastic Four: First Steps Set for July 2025

Looking ahead to July 2025, the film landscape will once again heat up as Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are both set to hit theaters.Superman, directed by James Gunn, will introduce David Corenswet as Clark Kent, promising a fresh and hopeful narrative in the DC Universe. Hot on its heels, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, helmed by Matt Shakman, aims to rectify past missteps by embracing a faithful depiction of Marvel’s First Family.

This month promises excitement for fans as both franchises seek to establish their own unique narratives while vying for box office supremacy. With trailers already generating buzz, the question of which studio will take the lead remains. As we anticipate this thrilling clash, the stakes are high for both upcoming films.