'Man of Steel' soars to $44.1 million Friday, will speed past $100 million

Warner Bros.’ $225 million franchise, 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.

Man of Steel might 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 higher than expected.