James Gunn’s Superman has landed in Indian cinemas with the force of a Kryptonian punch, opening to an impressive Rs 7 crore on its first day. Starring David Corenswet in the titular role, the film quickly outpaced major domestic and international contenders, including Rajkummar Rao’s Maalik, which earned Rs 4.02 crore, and Brad Pitt’s high profile F1, which managed Rs 5.5 crore. Shanaya Kapoor’s debut film Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan was left far behind, opening at just Rs 35 lakh.
With this strong debut, Superman is now officially one of the top three Hollywood openers in India this year, joining the ranks of Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning and Jurassic World: Rebirth featuring Scarlett Johansson. While it didn’t surpass Jurassic World’s Rs 9.2 crore Day 1 haul, Superman’s performance is being celebrated as a much needed win for DC in India.
What’s even more remarkable is that this box office momentum has been achieved despite competition from several big ticket Bollywood releases. Positive early reviews, buzz from DC fans, and widespread availability in premium formats like IMAX and 4DX have all helped the film get a solid boost. Audience turnout was particularly strong in major cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, especially in theatres showcasing the film in high end formats.
Superman’s storyline brings a fresh perspective to the iconic character. Rather than another retelling of the origin story, Gunn’s vision focuses on a younger Clark Kent grappling with the dual weight of his Kryptonian identity and his very human emotions. The film explores themes of alienation, responsibility, love, and media scrutiny, while also setting the stage for future entries in the revamped DC cinematic universe. It’s an emotional, layered take that has clearly connected with audiences looking for more than just spectacle.
The film also features an impressive supporting cast, with Rachel Brosnahan portraying a sharp and modern Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult stepping into the role of a menacing and calculated Lex Luthor, and additional roles played by Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, and Milly Alcock. The chemistry between Corenswet and Brosnahan has been particularly praised, despite some of their scenes being trimmed for Indian audiences.
In India, Superman underwent content modifications in line with the Central Board of Film Certification's directives. A 33 second kissing scene between the leads was cut, along with several strong language moments and a suggestive gesture replaced by a shorter sequence. While the edits stirred conversation online, they haven’t dampened the film’s impact at the box office.
As the DC Universe looks to rebuild under Gunn’s leadership, Superman seems to have laid a promising foundation. The film’s commercial and critical performance will play a crucial role in shaping the future slate of interconnected titles, and its early wins in India are encouraging signs for the franchise.
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