Summary
- Superman’s teaser trailer achieved a remarkable 250 million views within 24 hours, setting a new record for both DC and Warner Bros.
- Despite previous commercial struggles for the hero, this trailer’s success marks a significant triumph for both Superman and the DC Universe.
- James Gunn’s interpretation of Superman seeks to blend nostalgia with contemporary elements, although some fans remain skeptical.
Superman, the highly anticipated addition to the DC Universe scheduled for a 2025 release, unveiled its teaser trailer on December 19. In just one day, it garnered hundreds of millions of views, setting records that filmmakers dream of achieving. The response is particularly noteworthy for director James Gunn, who has navigated less commercially successful properties in the past, as well as for Warner Bros., which is recovering from a challenging era marked by a failed cinematic shared universe.
The enthusiastic reception to Superman’s trailer signals a rejuvenation for the beloved character, particularly in light of previous box office disappointments. Superman, known for his iconic status, has faced an uphill battle in recent years. Fans have debated the character’s relevance, especially following the acclaimed legacy of Batman and Spider-Man, and what some perceive as Superman’s decline since Richard Donner’s 1978 blockbuster.
Superman Claims the Title for Most Viewed Trailer in DC and Warner Bros. History
James Gunn’s Approach Takes the Lead
While Henry Cavill’s departure from the role stirred controversy, particularly because it followed a brief confirmation of his return, the upcoming Superman film carries high expectations as it aims to revitalize the DC franchise’s fortunes. Following the release of a teaser trailer’s teaser, the actual trailer was met with unprecedented excitement. Within the first 24 hours on DC’s official YouTube channel, the trailer collected an astonishing 30 million views. For comparison, the previous record was held by The Batman’s 2021 trailer, which garnered 15 million views in the same time frame. Moreover, Captain America: Brave New World took nearly a month to reach the view count that Superman achieved in just half a day.
According to James Gunn’s own confirmation, the Superman trailer culminated in a remarkable 250 million views within 24 hours, establishing it as a historic milestone for both DC and Warner Bros. In fact, Superman now ranks fifth among all trailers released in the first 24 hours, trailing only behind popular titles like Deadpool, Wolverine, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and two Avengers: Endgame trailers.
|
Most Viewed Teasers or Trailers of All Time |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Film |
Views |
Date |
|
Deadpool and Wolverine |
365 million |
February 11, 2024 |
|
Spider-Man: No Way Home |
355 million |
August 23, 2021 |
|
Avengers: Endgame (teaser) |
289 million |
December 7, 2018 |
|
Avengers: Endgame (first trailer) |
268 million |
March 14, 2019 |
|
Superman |
250 million |
December 19, 2024 |
|
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts |
238 million |
December 1, 2023 |
|
Avengers: Infinity War |
230 million |
November 29, 2017 |
|
The Lion King |
224.6 million |
April 10, 2019 |
|
Thor: Love and Thunder |
209 million |
April 18, 2022 |
|
It |
197 million |
March 29, 2017 |
Although viewer anticipation does not straightforwardly equate to box office performance—as demonstrated by underwhelming films like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Thor: Love and Thunder—the statistics indicate a significant excitement surrounding this Superman project. Prior to the much-lauded The Batman release, the last DC film to ignite this level of buzz was arguably Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which featured the unique opportunity of the beloved Dark Knight and Man of Steel sharing the screen for the first time.
The Character’s Legacy: From Icon to Underperformer
The Struggles of Finding Its Place in Modern Cinema
Superman’s influence, while persistent in popular culture, has notably waned at the box office. Once a dominant box office force since his 1978 debut, the character now finds himself struggling in a competitive landscape dominated by Batman, Spider-Man, and Iron Man. The earlier films, such as Superman III and Superman IV: Quest for Peace, along with the Supergirl spinoff, failed to recreate the blockbuster magic of the original Superman films. Brandon Routh’s Superman Returns in 2006 limped to a box office gross that failed to meet its production budget, leading to the cancellation of any potential sequels despite receiving some positive accolades.
Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel from 2013 performed reasonably well, bringing in $670 million globally. In contrast, Iron Man 3—which was based on a less entrenched franchise—had a staggering box office haul of $1.2 billion, putting Superman’s profitability in stark relief. Some viewers found Snyder’s more somber portrayal of Superman less appealing, which contributed to the mixed reception and diminished interest.
The subsequent Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice proved to be a critical disappointment and faltered at the box office, while Justice League’s notorious CGI oversight regarding Superman’s mustache removal diluted its impact further. Meanwhile, since the early 2000s, Batman has achieved notable success with two films grossing over a billion dollars, and Spider-Man’s lowest performer still earned a respectable $709 million. In a recent ranking by Fandango, Superman recently placed ninth among the most anticipated films for 2025, trailing behind newer franchises like John Wick and The Accountant.
This decline raises questions about the character’s appeal to contemporary audiences. Criticism has been leveled at aspects like inadequate narratives, challenges stemming from the character’s almost omnipotent powers, and potential overexposure. However, given the success of Batman and Spider-Man films, the argument around overexposure seems less tenable. According to “Supermanologist” David Mann, the character’s transformation from a social activist to a nationalistic symbol has played a significant role in his shifting appeal. Balancing between nostalgia and contemporary relevance has proven challenging for Superman, leading to alienation among fans across generations. The only project that nearly reconciled these contradictions, CW’s Superman and Lois, has unfortunately remained underappreciated.
James Gunn’s Vision for Superman: A New Hope
James Gunn’s reinterpretation of Superman draws inspiration from the character’s classic silver age. The newly launched trailer embraces this aesthetic wholeheartedly, which Gunner aims to present a fresh take on the hero.
However, certain fan segments are less enthusiastic about this direction. A faction of loyalists from the Snyder era has vocalized their skepticism, criticizing numerous aspects ranging from a perceived lack of realism similar to Man of Steel, the costuming choices, and concerns over the visual presentation of the trailer. Nevertheless, Warner Bros. is likely to focus on the overwhelming positive feedback that indicates a broad approval for Gunn’s new vision.
Leave a Reply