Box office update: 'Man of Steel' soars to $44.1 million Friday

After one day, the return of Superman is already faring better than Superman Returns.

Warner Bros.’ $225 million franchise reboot, Man of Steel, took in a blazing $44.1 million on Friday. Including the $12 million earned on Thursday through corporate screening programs, the film has a $56.1 million total headed into the final two days of the weekend. By Sunday night, Man of Steel may earn about $125 million, which would stand as the second highest opening weekend of 2013 behind Iron Man 3‘s $174.1 million bow.

There’s also a chance that Man of Steel, which garnered an “A-” CinemaScore and has massive potential for Father’s Day business, may hold up better the average tentpole and finish closer to my $132 million prediction. Stay tuned to EW to see where it finishes.

Fellow newcomer This is the End scored $6.9 million on its first Friday, giving it a three-day total of $19.2 million. The $32 million R-rated comedy should take in about $20 million over the weekend, giving it a five day total of about $33 million. Audiences issue the film a “B+” CinemaScore.

Three holdovers filled out the rest of the Top 5. Now You See Me dropped only 46 percent in the face of Man of Steel to $3.3 million, putting it on pace for an $11 million frame. The Purge, meanwhile, plummeted 83 percent from its first Friday to $2.9 million, and may earn about $8.5 million in its sophomore weekend. Fast & Furious 6 grossed $2.6 million on Friday, and it may climb into fourth place by Sunday night with $9 million.

1. Man of Steel – $44.1 million

2. This is the End – $6.9 million

3. Now You See Me – $3.3 million

4. The Purge – $2.9 million

5. Fast & Furious 6 – $2.6 million

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