James Gunn has a good reason for dropping Superman on digital so soon

Superman is still making money in cinemas, but the movie is already available on digital for one very good reason.

Summer 2025 was billed as the battle between Superman and the Fantastic Four, with DC launching the theatrical chapter of its new universe through Jame’s Gunn Man of Steel movie, and Marvel hoping the F4 would help re-invigorate its own universe following a string of under-performers.

Marvel’s First Family have done good numbers thus far, with their film currently sitting on a $441 million box office haul. But Superman hit harder, with a worldwide total of $585 million, albeit following a longer run in cinemas.

That means DC has the biggest superhero movie of the year for the first time since The Dark Knight in 2008. So it seems strange that Superman is already heading to digital when there’s clearly still theatrical money on the table, but according to the film’s director, there’s method in the madness.

Blame Peacemaker for Superman’s early arrival on digital

HBO Max

Superman hit screens on July 11, 2025, and releases on digital August 15, 2025, meaning the Man of Steel’s theatrical window was just 35 days.

While speaking to ScreenRant about the rush-release, Superman director James Gunn said he was heartbroken, but the DC Studios co-chair explained that it was for the benefit of another of character.

“It’s very complicated, but the truth is it is because of Peacemaker. I originally thought Peacemaker was going to be coming out next month,” said Gunn.

“There was a lot of things that are beyond our control, so that Peacemaker is coming out now, and, at the end of the day, I wanted everyone to be able to see Superman that wanted to, even those people who couldn’t get to a theater before Peacemaker. And that’s really the reason for it.”

Which makes sense, as Peacemaker cameos in Superman, and the movie introduces the Justice Gang, who pop up in Season 2. And with the series dropping on HBO Max on August 21, 2025, the digital release of Superman will act as a reminder to tune in when it drops.

For more comic book action, here’s Dexerto’s ranking of the best superhero movies ever, plus our list of the best superhero shows of all-time.