AceShowbiz - Superman, the highly anticipated reboot from James Gunn, has made an explosive debut on streaming charts, quickly ascending to challenge one of Netflix's biggest hits of the year. The DC Universe film, which premiered in theaters on July 11 before its streaming release on September 19, has demonstrated significant reach and popularity in its initial weeks.

According to Nielsen data for the week of September 22-28, Superman soared to the impressive #2 position on the Top Movies streaming chart, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. This remarkable achievement places the film above a diverse range of titles, including upcoming releases like Elio (2025), 28 Years Later (2025), Ruth & Boaz (2025), and Ice Road: Vengeance (2025), as well as established films such as San Andreas (2015), The Wrong Paris (2025), and animated classics like Lilo & Stitch (2025) and Shrek 2 (2004).

The only film that Superman did not manage to surpass was Netflix's own phenomenon, KPop Demon Hunters. This animated blockbuster has enjoyed unprecedented success for the streaming giant, making history last month by becoming the first Netflix movie or show to garner over 300 million views. Its dominance saw it claim the top spot on streaming charts for an astonishing 14 weeks this year, setting a formidable benchmark for any new contender.

Written and directed by Gunn, Superman effectively launched the new DC Universe, reintroducing the iconic Man of Steel in a world where he is not the sole active superhero. The film's narrative sees Superman grappling with formidable adversary Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, while also tracking down his super-dog, Krypto, and navigating a pivotal moment in his personal relationships.

The cast features David Corenswet (Twisters, Pearl) as the new Big Blue Boy Scout, with Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) starring as Lois Lane. They are joined by a star-studded ensemble including Nathan Fillion (The Rookie) as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced (The Last of Us) as Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi (The Harder They Fall) as Mister Terrific. Upon its theatrical release, Superman garnered widespread critical acclaim and fan approval, achieving a "Certified Fresh" status on Rotten Tomatoes with an 83% Tomatometer score from critics and an impressive 90% Popcornmeter score from audiences.

Financially, Superman proved to be a global success, earning $616 million at the worldwide box office. This strong performance prompted Gunn to announce a follow-up film, titled Man of Tomorrow. While not a direct sequel, this project will continue the compelling storyline established in Superman, with both Corenswet and Hoult set to reprise their roles as their characters form an unexpected alliance. The broader DC Universe recently concluded Peacemaker season 2, and future releases include the True Detective-style Green Lantern series Lanterns on HBO and HBO Max in early 2026, followed by theatrical releases for Supergirl in July and Clayface in September next year.