James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Smashes Record Held by ‘Barbie’ for 2 Years

James Gunn’s Superman has broken a streaming record on HBO Max that was previously held by Barbie for nearly two years.

Since its release on the platform on September 19, 2025, the film has attracted 13 million viewers worldwide in just ten days, the largest 10-day audience for a pay-one film on HBO Max since December 2023.

HBO Max reported that the streaming release also sparked renewed interest in other Superman titles. Viewership for Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story rose 670%, Superman: The Movie increased by 155%, Superman Returns went up 120%, and Man of Steel saw a 40% boost during the week of September 15–21 compared to the previous week.

The film premiered on HBO Max after a 70-day theatrical window. According to Gunn, the shorter home release schedule was designed to let fans watch the movie before the second season of Peacemaker aired.

The sixth episode of that season also served as a lead-in to Gunn’s next Superman project, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, which is set to release on July 9, 2027.

Superman was first available for digital download on August 15, followed by the HBO Max streaming release and then Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 23. The home releases feature deleted scenes, a making-of documentary, commentary by Gunn, and other featurettes.

Gunn began writing a follow-up to Superman in June, describing it as the next story in the “Superman Saga.” He said the new film will not be a direct sequel but will feature Superman in a major role alongside Lex Luthor, describing it as “as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie.”

Filming is planned to start around April 2026, with David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult expected to return to their roles.

In addition to the movie, Gunn has considered creating spin-off TV series for HBO Max based on supporting characters like Mister Terrific and Jimmy Olsen. The Jimmy Olsen series is expected to introduce the villain Gorilla Grodd to the DC Universe, according to journalist Jeff Sneider.

The success of Superman on streaming shows that fans are excited for this version of the character and the connected stories in the DC Universe. It’s impressive to see older Superman films get a boost alongside the new release. Do you think Gunn’s take on Superman will keep breaking records? Share your thoughts in the comments.