In a move that’s likely to raise eyebrows — and possibly anger theater owners — Warner Bros. is pushing up the digital release of Superman to Friday, August 15, just 35 days after it hit theaters.
Original Date Moved Forward
The film was initially said to hit digital platforms on August 26, but WB released a new teaser today confirming the earlier date. That’s a nearly two-week bump, making Superman available for home viewing while it’s still in its theatrical run.
Update: Blu-Ray gets released on Sept. 23rd. Check out the official announcement below.
Update #2: To go along with the release, a Superman one-hour BTS documentary has been released.
The next generation of hope is here. #Superman is now available to pre-order. pic.twitter.com/yuSUw5HFPH
— Superman (@Superman) August 12, 2025
Possible Backlash from Exhibitors
The shortened theatrical window could frustrate exhibitors, who rely on exclusivity to drive ticket sales. Typically, tentpole releases aim for at least a 45-day window before hitting digital. Cutting that to 35 days might signal that WB sees limited box office upside from keeping Superman in theaters longer — especially as grosses slow.
Current Box Office Performance
As of Sunday, Superman has earned $579,194,652 worldwide, with $331,394,652 domestic and $247,800,000 international.
Those overseas numbers trail The Batman’s $400+ million international take, which helped push that film to over $772 million globally. Based on current trends, Superman could finish around $600-$630 million.
It’s also well short of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel which finished with over $670M — and that’s not even accounting for inflation.
Strategy Shift?
The early digital release may be part of WB’s push to capture home entertainment revenue sooner, or to build momentum for the new DCU ahead of Supergirl.
Or it could be because the box office is stalling.
Fans are reacting, and they are not happy.
Superman digital release official WB announcement:
The Highest Grossing Superman Film in the U.S. with More than $331 Million at the Box Office
SUPERMAN
Bring the Super Hero Cinematic Event of the year home as the DC Studios Blockbuster from Writer/Director/Producer James Gunn Becomes Available Digitally for the First Time on August 15
Debuts in North America on Digital on August 15
4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD arrive on September 23
Burbank, CA, August 12, 2025 – Relive Superman, DC Studio’s first feature film to hit the big screen, as the Super Hero blockbuster film debuts Digitally at home on August 15.
In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original Super Hero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.
From DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Gunn produced the film, which Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
- On August 15, Superman will be available Digitally at home on participating digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Fandango at Home, and more.
- On September 23, Superman will be available to own on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD from online and physical retailers. Superman will also continue to be available in high definition and standard definition from participating digital retailers.
The film stars David Corenswet (“Twisters,” “Hollywood”) in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” movies, “Juror #2”) as Lex Luthor. The film also stars Edi Gathegi (“For All Mankind”), Anthony Carrigan (“Barry,” “Gotham”), Nathan Fillion (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “The Suicide Squad”), Isabela Merced (“Alien Romulus”), Skyler Gisondo (“Licorice Pizza,” “Booksmart”), Sara Sampaio (“At Midnight”), María Gabriela de Faría (“The Moodys”), Wendell Pierce (“Selma,” “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), Alan Tudyk (“Andor”), Pruitt Taylor Vince (“Bird Box”) and Neva Howell (“Greedy People”).
Superman has taken the box office by storm, earning more than $579 million worldwide. The film has become the highest-grossing solo Superman film in the U.S. and is also the largest grossing superhero film year-to-date.
Additionally, coming soon to Digital will be additional special features including a gag reel, deleted scenes, and a director’s commentary featuring James Gunn. These special features will be automatically added for consumers who have purchased the film on Digital.
Synopsis
When Superman is drawn into conflicts both abroad and at home, his actions to protect humankind are questioned, and his vulnerability allows tech billionaire and master deceiver Lex Luthor to leverage the opportunity to get Superman out of the way for good. Will the Daily Planet’s intrepid reporter Lois Lane, together with the aid of Metropolis’s other metahumans and Superman’s own four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help Superman before Luthor can completely destroy him?
SPECIAL FEATURES
Superman Digital, 4K UHD, and Blu-ray contain the following special features:
- Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle – (5:32)
- Adventures in Making Superman Featurette (60:00)
- Icons Forever: Superman’s Enduring Legacy – Featurette (6:05)
- Lex Luthor: The Mind of a Master Villain – Featurette (5:18)
- Kryptunes: The Music of Superman – Featurette (6:31)
- Paws to Pixels: Krypto is Born – Featurette (5:54)
- Breaking News: The Daily Planet Returns – Featurette (5:23)
- The Ultimate Villain – Featurette (5:30)
- The Justice Gang – Featurette (10:37)
- A New Era: DC Takes Off – Featurette (4:53)
The following special features will be coming soon to Digital:
- Director’s Commentary with James Gunn
- Gag Reel
- Deleted Scenes
