James Gunn is feeling “incredibly grateful” for the initial box office success of Superman and the positive reception from audiences. The filmmaker and co-head of DC Studios took to Threads on Sunday to express his appreciation after the superhero blockbuster saw an estimated global debut of $217 million .

DC/Warner's Superman flew a bit higher in the Sunday actuals, reaching a $220M global start. The upward shift is powered by domestic which came in at $125M while the international box office take remained set in steel at $95M.

According to box office figures, Superman had already raked in $22.5 million in Thursday previews. By Friday, that figure had more than doubled to $56.5 million domestically. Overseas, it added $40 million, bringing its worldwide total to $96.5 million — surpassing early estimates of $90 million.

Superman director James Gun has offered his first comments on the film's $217 million global box office opening, and said he's "incredibly grateful" for the film's early response.

The film is the latest part of a startling turnaround for the studio, which has now released five consecutive hits.