Warner Bros. Discovery enjoyed a strong weekend at the global box office with two films surpassing the $500 million mark worldwide. “Superman” reached $502 million in ticket sales, while “F1,” distributed by Warner Bros. but produced by Apple, topped $509 million.
This milestone is significant for Warner Bros.’ DC Studios, as “Superman” is the first major theatrical release under co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, who took charge of the film and TV division in late 2022. They have outlined a 10-year strategy to revitalize the studio’s franchises, including new takes on Superman and Batman. Currently, 2025’s “Superman” ranks as the fourth-highest-grossing Superman film, behind Zack Snyder’s “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” ($874 million), “Man of Steel” ($669 million), and “Justice League” ($661 million).
Apple’s “F1” breaking the $500 million threshold further cements its success, making it Apple’s highest-grossing theatrical release to date. The film surpassed Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” which grossed $221 million in 2023. Apple’s cinema ventures have been limited but include notable releases such as “Killers of the Flower Moon” ($158 million), “Fly Me to the Moon” ($42 million), and “Argylle” ($96 million). “F1” has also gained an advantage through its collaboration with IMAX, utilizing IMAX camera technology and securing a three-week exclusive run in IMAX theaters.
