MUMBAI: It‘s a bird, it‘s a plane, no it‘s Superman! Warner Bros‘ and Legendary Pictures‘ Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill, reprising the role of the red-capped Krptonian superhero has swooped across the box office with a record opening of $196.7 million worldwide.

Zack Synder‘s Superman reboot, premiered on Thursday and over the four day period raked in a whopping $125.1 million pushing it to the number one position in June, and second best debut in 2013 behind Disney/Marvel‘s Iron Man 3. Internationally too, the tentpole soared amassing over $71.6 million during the same period.

As reported by a Warner Bros executive to Deadline, the Sunday matinees ran much brighter than the Saturday‘s collection, unusual but not surprising considering the formula of the hype of a much anticipated movie release coupled with the Father‘s Day occasion worked well in favour.

Man of Steel opened across 4207 theatres worldwide with a 3D release in 3,357 venues.

Although film critics and reviews didn‘t quite appreciate this third franchise on Superman, the audience gave the movie a thumbs-up snubbing all critics‘ views and giving it an ‘A‘- CinemaScore. The high octane visual treat of Man of Steel packed a strong opening punch in 3D (3,357 venues), immense and skilful marketing of Warner Bros together with Christopher Nolan‘s and Zack Synder‘s involvement has truly wooed the audience worldwide. A Warner Bros executive reported that, Man of Steel grossed nearly double the next top four films added together, marking its dominance over the marketplace.

With a wide presence across 331 domestic IMAX screens, Man of Steel delivered a $13.3 million opening with 42 per cent generated from the 3D versions. The movies presence has also boosted the entire box office weekend nearly 78 per cent more than the similar corresponding period last year. Along with Man of Steel, Sony/Columbia Pictures‘ apocalyptic comedy, This Is the End received a decent feedback and is projected for a $ 32.8 million in its five day bout.

Meanwhile, Summit/Lionsgate multi starrer Now You See Me crossed the $100 million worldwide mark in its third week. The Vin Diesel adrenalin pumping Fast & Furious 6 amassed a stupendous $636.9 million worldwide in its fourth successful week. The Box Office shocker, The Purge grossed $58.5 million in its second week, although it received a thrashing at the box office this week.