James Gunn’s Superman has taken an unusual flight path. Barely a month after its July theatrical premiere, the blockbuster has already arrived on digital platforms, allowing fans to rent or purchase the film from home. The move has surprised many given its ongoing success in cinemas, where it has surpassed $500 million globally, with $333 million earned domestically and $249 million internationally.
The film, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, has been praised as a fresh revival of the Superman franchise. Critics awarded it an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences rated it even higher at 91%, with reviews highlighting the film’s emotional pull and moments of pure exhilaration. NPR’s Glen Weldon wrote that the movie offers a “surge of joy” that many superhero stories have been missing in recent years.
Yet the decision to release Superman early on demand puzzled fans. Gunn explained the move was linked to scheduling changes around Peacemaker season 2, which debuts on HBO Max on 21 August. He revealed he wanted to make sure everyone could access the film before the show’s release, even those unable to see it in theatres.
Superman is now available to rent for $24.99 or buy for $29.99 on Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Fandango at Home. A physical release is also planned, with 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD editions arriving on 23 September.
Warner Bros. is expected to add Superman to HBO Max between September and October, following its typical 60 to 100-day theatrical window. Fans eager to watch again, or those who missed the cinema run, will not have long to wait before it becomes part of the wider DC catalogue online.
The film’s strong reception has already sparked talk of sequels and spin-offs, ensuring Superman will continue to soar within the newly built DC Universe.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ