New Delhi, July 12 - James Gunn’s highly anticipated reboot Superman, starring David Corenswet, took flight at the Indian box office with an estimated ₹7 crore nett collection on its opening day. While the superhero film managed to outperform Brad Pitt’s F1, which opened to ₹5.25 crore, it fell short of matching the impressive debut of Jurassic World: Rebirth, which earned ₹9.2 crore on Day 1.

Superman has now become the highest Day 1 opener for a DC Studios film in India, beating previous releases like Black Adam and The Flash. The film benefited from strong brand recognition, Gunn’s revamped narrative approach, and a growing appetite for superhero content among Indian audiences. Its opening figure was aided by strong urban multiplex turnout, especially in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.

Compared to recent Hollywood releases in India, Superman had a notable advantage in promotional buzz and pre-release anticipation. The early morning shows began with modest occupancy but picked up steam through the afternoon and evening, ultimately pushing collections above expectations.

Industry analysts note that while Superman performed better than F1 in India, it could not topple the momentum of Jurassic World: Rebirth, which is still riding high on family audience appeal and nostalgia-driven enthusiasm. The dinosaur franchise’s latest chapter opened to ₹9.2 crore and has maintained a strong hold throughout its opening weekend.

Despite trailing Jurassic World, Superman is being positioned as a long-game performer. Positive early reviews and strong word-of-mouth could help the film retain momentum across its first weekend. If the Saturday and Sunday numbers hold firm, the film is projected to earn between ₹20 crore and ₹25 crore in its opening weekend in India alone.

Globally, Superman is tracking toward a powerful box office debut, with international estimates suggesting an opening in the range of $200 million. Its US domestic earnings are expected to land between $90 million and $125 million for the first weekend, giving DC Studios a much-needed boost after a string of mixed results.

In contrast, F1, despite Brad Pitt’s star power and the backing of a real-life Formula 1 production collaboration, did not ignite Indian box office numbers. Its ₹5.25 crore debut, while respectable for a sports drama, underlines the challenge non-franchise films face when competing with big-budget fantasy and action titles.

Overall, Superman has delivered a promising start in India. It has surpassed expectations for a DC Universe release and positioned itself well for continued success, especially if weekend footfall trends upward. However, with Jurassic World: Rebirth maintaining a dominant position, the fight for the top spot at the Indian box office remains competitive. Whether Superman can close the gap in the days to come will depend on sustained audience interest and the pull of a reimagined hero in a crowded cinematic universe.