As Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are getting closer to their summer release dates, a new report indicates a potential problem for the DC Universe and Marvel Cinematic Universe installments. 2025 is set to be one of the most important years for both DC Studios and Marvel Studios, as Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are going to be battling each other at the box office this July. However, the two properties are potentially at risk of losing a very crucial market.
With U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariff mandates on China, Variety reports that the China Film Administration has confirmed that they intend to reduce their import of U.S. films, which would affect major superhero blockbusters like Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In an official statement from the China Film Administration, they gave the following comments:
The wrong action of the U.S. government to abuse tariffs on China will inevitably further reduce the domestic audience’s favorability towards American films. We will follow the market rules, respect the audience’s choice, and moderately reduce the number of American films imported.
However, according to sources with Variety, Marvel Studios’ upcoming Thunderbolts* movie is still set to get its release in China, as they only a day ago “secured a coveted China release date of April 30,” which the trade calls “an unusual move if a ban were truly imminent.”
What China’s Reducing Of U.S. Films Means For Superman & The Fantastic Four: First Steps
China has always been one of the biggest markets for Hollywood movies after the domestic box office, especially in the comic book movie genre, which is why this situation could have big ramifications for Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While it doesn’t necessarily mean that other markets can’t help The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman get solid box office results, not having releases in China will definitely be a loss for both DC Studios and Marvel Studios. That’s why it will be interesting to see how the Thunderbolts* release in China does for the MCU installment.
In Superman’s case, the loss of its China release is another conundrum that has been added to DC Studios’ challenges. Not only is James Gunn’s movie at risk of not getting its due in China, but the film is currently in the midst of a Superman lawsuit between Warner Bros. Discovery and the estate of Joe Schuster (co-creator of the Superman IP), with the latter making a case for the studio not having the rights to release it in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and Canada. While Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a motion to dismiss the ongoing lawsuit, no updates had emerged at the time of the story’s publication.
Our Take On Superman & The Fantastic Four: First Steps’s China Releases
Although time will tell how President Trump’s administration responds to the China Film Administration’s official comments, Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps will ideally be able to perform well enough in their respective worldwide box offices with or without China. After years of waiting for a Superman movie, as well as a proper reboot for the Fantastic Four, it would be a huge shame to see either film being hurt financially. But for now, the world will have to wait and see what becomes of Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, both commercially and critically.
Upcoming DC Movie Releases
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Superman
- Release Date
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July 11, 2025
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Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
- Release Date
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June 26, 2026
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The Batman Part II
- Release Date
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October 1, 2027
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Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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Source: Variety
