Box Office: 'Superman' Remains Supreme as 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Nabs $5.8 Million Opening Day

Despite a slate of new releases, Warner Bros.' "Superman" continues its reign at the domestic box office, pulling in an estimated $16.6 million on its second Friday. This performance pushes the DC Studios reboot to a cumulative domestic total of $194.4 million, solidifying its position as a strong contender in the summer blockbuster landscape.

'Superman' Flies High, But Faces Familiar Superhero Drop-Off

While the second-Friday numbers represent a 50% drop from its opening day (excluding previews), "Superman" is outpacing fellow superhero flick "Thunderbolts*," which currently sits at $189 million. The film now ranks as the eighth-highest grossing North American release of the year. Experts are closely watching the film's week-to-week performance, as comic book adaptations have become increasingly susceptible to significant drops after their opening weekends due to fans rushing to see them early. "Superman," directed by James Gunn, aims to buck this trend and appeal to a wider audience beyond dedicated comic book fans.

"The key for 'Superman' is not just the initial surge, but sustained interest," notes Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. "The film needs to resonate with general audiences to avoid the steep drop-offs we've seen with other superhero films. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining its long-term success."

'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Revival Leads New Releases

Among the new contenders, Columbia Pictures and Screen Gems' "I Know What You Did Last Summer" secured an opening day of $5.8 million across Friday and preview screenings. The 90s-throwback, which plays into the legacy sequel trend by featuring original stars Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt, is projected to earn over $13 million for the weekend. The opening, although solid, falls shy of pre-weekend projections of $15 million. It remains to be seen if the film will have enough staying power to launch another franchise.

'Smurfs' and 'Eddington' Struggle to Find Footing

Paramount's animated "Smurfs" reboot earned $4 million on its opening day and is projected to earn $12 million for the weekend. This is a disappointing result for the revival of the classic comic characters, especially considering its $58 million production budget. A24's "Eddington," Ari Aster's dread-infused pandemic period piece, took in roughly $1.8 million from 2,111 venues. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, is struggling to meet pre-weekend forecasts for a $5 million debut.

Critical Reception and Audience Response a Mixed Bag

"I Know What You Did Last Summer" has received generally negative reviews, but in keeping with the original movies in the franchise. The film also received a C+ CinemaScore. "Smurfs" has also been met with poor reviews. "Eddington" has garnered mixed reviews since its Cannes premiere and received a C+ CinemaScore.

'Jurassic World Rebirth' Still Roaring

Rounding out the top contenders, Universal's "Jurassic World Rebirth" continues its strong run, earning another $6.5 million on Friday. The film is projecting a 43% drop for its third weekend and is on track to pass $275 million domestically. By next week, the film will likely pass "Sinners" ($278 million) to become the third-highest grossing North American release of the year.

The Future of DC Studios Hinges on 'Superman's' Success

The performance of "Superman" is particularly important for DC Studios and Warner Bros., as it represents a fresh start for the DC cinematic universe. With upcoming installments like "Supergirl" and "Clayface" slated for 2026, the studio is banking on "Superman" to establish a strong foundation for the franchise. According to film historian Dr. Emily Carter, "The success of 'Superman' is not just about box office numbers; it's about rebuilding trust with audiences after a period of inconsistent performance from DC films. A strong showing here will give them the momentum they need to build a cohesive and compelling cinematic universe."