The film concluded its domestic run with $252 million, which Gunn’s Superman has now passed. Of course, Batman ’s figures aren’t adjusted for inflation, which is typical of box office analysis. But what this basically means is that more people have watched that film than have watched Superman so far.

The very American comic book hero has always faced challenges abroad. But Trump's controversial global policies and a China market that’s (largely) moved on from Hollywood tentpoles haven't helped.