The superhero film earned $113 million in its opening weekend at the box office, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The retelling of Superman's backstory earned an additional $12 million from Thursday screenings, bringing its domestic total to $125 million.
"Man of Steel," which stars Henry Cavill as Superman and Amy Adams as Lois Lane, also nabbed the record for June's biggest opening away from "Toy Story 3," the Disney-Pixar film which banked $110.3 million when it opened in 2010.
Sony's "This Is the End" debuted in second place in North America behind "Man of Steel" with $20.5 million in its opening weekend. The comedy starring Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jonah Hill as versions of themselves trapped in a mansion during the apocalypse opened Wednesday, earning a domestic total of $32.8 million. The film cost just $32 million to produce.
In its third weekend at the box office, the Lionsgate illusionist heist film "Now You See Me" fleeced $10.3 million in third place, bringing its total domestic haul to $80 million. Universal's "Fast & Furious 6" arrived in fourth place with $9.4 million, while the studio's invasion horror film "The Purge" starring Ethan Hawke scared up $8.2 million in the fifth spot.
The super openings of "Man of Steel" and "This Is the End" helped to lift the box office 50 percent over last year when "Madagascar 3" and "Prometheus" held on to the top spots. "Man of Steel" will face off against stiff competition next week when Paramount's zombie thriller "World War Z" and the Disney-Pixar's prequel "Monsters University" both debut.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday.
1. "Man of Steel," $113 million ($71.6 million international).
2. "This Is the End," $20.5 million.
3. "Now You See Me," $10.3 million ($15.6 million international).
4. "Fast & Furious 6," $9.4 million ($20 million international).
5. "The Purge," $8.2 million ($2.4 million international).
6. "The Internship," $7 million ($5.1 million international).
7. "Epic," $6 million ($8.1 million international).
8. "Star Trek: Into Darkness," $5.6 million ($17 million international).
9. "After Earth," $3.7 million ($24 million international).
10. "Iron Man 3," $2.9 million ($1 million international).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
