The news, initially reported by Forbes on October 31, 2026, highlights the stark contrast between the two studio titans' recent fortunes. "Supergirl," which premiered earlier in the year, struggled to find its audience, concluding its theatrical run with a worldwide total of just $126.5 million against a substantial production budget estimated between $170 million and $186 million. For "Avengers: Doomsday" to nearly match that figure purely on pre-release sales underscores the enduring power of Marvel's flagship franchise.

This achievement follows another record-setting performance for "Doomsday," which previously hit $50 million in pre-sales a full 100 days before its December 18, 2026 release date. The film is positioned as a potential savior for the MCU, which, much like the broader superhero landscape, has experienced a dip in audience engagement in recent years.

DC Studios, under co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, has seen mixed results in establishing its new DC Universe. While titles like the "charming crowd-pleaser 'Superman'" and the HBO series "Lanterns" have garnered praise, "Supergirl" stands out as a critical financial misstep. Despite Milly Alcock's performance, which /Film noted as shining as "the self-destructive savior of the DCU in 'Supergirl'," the film failed to connect with wider audiences. Its reliance on a lesser-known character, even with Jason Momoa's Lobo in a supporting role, proved insufficient to overcome the general fatigue for less established superhero narratives.

While pre-sales are often driven by dedicated fan bases, and not always a guarantee of sustained box office success — as seen with 2025's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" — "Doomsday" appears to be in a stronger position. The film boasts a star-studded roster, including the much-anticipated return of Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom, alongside beloved MCU characters and fan-favorite X-Men from the 20th Century Fox era. This assembly of popular characters, reminiscent of the highly successful "Deadpool & Wolverine" in 2024, is expected to translate initial hype into a robust theatrical run.

Indeed, the early promotion for "Avengers: Doomsday" faced its own challenges, with initial teaser trailers described as "boring" and RDJ's casting as Doctor Doom causing some fan confusion. However, Marvel has clearly managed to reignite excitement since then. The current pre-sales figures are a significant indicator that "Doomsday" could be the blockbuster Marvel needs to reaffirm its dominance and re-energize the superhero genre, while simultaneously serving as a stark reminder to DC Studios of the critical importance of avoiding another "Supergirl"-level disappointment.