Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Stock: Man of Steel Powers Box Office and Share Price

TLDR

Table of Contents

Superman delivered a $122 million domestic opening weekend, meeting industry forecasts and validating Warner Bros. Discovery’s DC reboot strategy
WBD stock gained 0.69% in pre-market trading following the strong box office performance
CEO David Zaslav is betting on DC’s success to drive long-term value ahead of the company’s planned split into two entities next year
The film earned an A- CinemaScore, suggesting strong word-of-mouth potential and staying power in theaters
Wall Street analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” rating with an average price target of $13.00, representing 10.83% upside potential

Warner Bros. Discovery saw its stock rise 0.69% in pre-market trading following Superman’s strong opening weekend performance. The film generated $122 million domestically and $217 million globally, meeting industry expectations.

This marks the first major test for Warner Bros.’ restructured DC Studios under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. The performance validates the studio’s new approach to the DC universe after years of inconsistent results.

The final #Superman trailer is here.
Tickets are on sale now!pic.twitter.com/qjn1ZTAPdB
— Phase Hero (@PhaseHero) June 11, 2025

CEO David Zaslav has positioned DC’s revival as central to his strategy for long-term shareholder value. The company plans to split into two separate entities next year, with Zaslav leading the entertainment division that includes film and streaming operations.

The strong debut provides crucial validation for this strategic direction. It demonstrates that the creative leadership team can deliver commercially viable content that resonates with audiences.

Superman earned an A- CinemaScore from audiences, indicating strong word-of-mouth potential. This suggests the film could maintain better staying power in theaters compared to previous DC releases.

The movie features David Corenswet as a more introspective version of the character. This tonal shift represents a philosophical change under Gunn and Safran’s leadership, moving away from pure spectacle toward deeper character development.

DC Pipeline Builds Momentum

The studio has multiple projects in development to capitalize on Superman’s success. A Supergirl film, Green Lantern series, and several Batman projects are already in the works.

Each upcoming release is designed to reinforce the new DC continuity. Success across these projects could create more predictable revenue streams for WBD’s entertainment division.

Consistent performance from DC properties would provide year-round earnings contributions rather than relying on seasonal box office hits. This predictability is exactly what shareholders want to see from the media company.

Jim Cramer recently praised Zaslav’s leadership style, calling him “one of the most convivial, kind guys” in the business. Cramer believes executives with strong interpersonal skills are receiving more support in the current market environment.

The TV personality also expressed confidence in Warner Bros.’ studio business, noting a partnership with Disney. He believes the company trades below its intrinsic value due to the strength of its film operations.

Market Recovery Signals

Superman’s performance contributes to broader theatrical recovery trends. The 2025 box office is running 15% ahead of 2024 levels, though still trailing 2019 by 24.1%.

Successful franchise reboots like Superman provide confidence for cinema chains and advertisers. This helps the entire media ecosystem view theatrical exposure as an asset rather than a liability.

Other franchise films including Minecraft and Jurassic World Rebirth are also performing well. This creates a positive feedback loop for companies with strong intellectual property portfolios.

Wall Street analysts currently rate WBD as a “Moderate Buy” based on recent research. Eighteen analysts have weighed in over the past three months, with 10 rating it a Buy and 8 recommending Hold.

The average 12-month price target stands at $13.00, representing 10.83% upside from the current trading price of $11.73. No analysts currently rate the stock as a Sell.

WBD shares have gained 31.9% since May as investors warm to the company’s turnaround story. The successful Superman launch adds another data point supporting the investment thesis.

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