Superman Emerges as Top Movie Launch on HBO Max, Driving Streaming Growth

Superman made a huge splash on HBO Max, snagging a massive 13 million views in just 10 days. This superhero movie launch became the biggest on HBO Max since the blockbuster Barbie back in 2023. As a result, interest in all things Superman skyrocketed. The Christopher Reeve story saw a 670% streaming increase, while the classic 1978 Superman film jumped 155% in viewership. Even newer additions like Superman Returns from 2006 and Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel from 2013 saw significant spikes in streaming—120% and 40%, respectively.

After a successful run in theaters that brought in over $615 million globally, Superman stands out as the only superhero movie of 2025 to cross the $600 million mark. The film’s success was largely driven by its performance in North America. Director James Gunn attributed this to various factors and even shared insights on why Superman did better in domestic markets than internationally.

Gunn announced a swift transition to digital release for Superman, citing the need to set up the groundwork for the next installment, Man of Tomorrow. This sequel promises to delve into the dynamic between Superman and Lex Luthor, hinting at a potential appearance by the infamous Brainiac as the antagonist. With filming starting in April 2026 and a planned release date of July 9, 2027, the timeline between releases will be relatively short, giving fans a quicker follow-up to look forward to.

Before the Man of Tomorrow hits screens, fans can anticipate other releases like Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface, as part of the ongoing DC Universe lineup. The future looks promising for Superman fans as the franchise continues to expand and deliver thrilling superhero tales.