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The first episode of Peacemaker Season 2, James Gunn’s superhero series, starring wrestler-turned-actor John Cena in the titular role, premiered on August 21, 2025, on HBO Max in the U.S. and Jio Hotstar in India. With a near-perfect 99% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes (Source: RT), the show now ranks among the best-reviewed DC titles of all time. Backed by impressive reviews and fresh viewership data, it’s clear that Peacemaker Season 2 has struck the right chord with audiences, especially in the U.S. Here’s how its debut compares to the performance of Season 1.
Peacemaker Season 2 vs. Season 1 – Viewership
According to Samba TV, Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 1 attracted 22% more U.S. households on HBO Max in its first four days than the Season 1 finale, which aired in 2022. These viewership figures suggest that James Gunn’s DCU is heading in the right direction. You can check out Samba TV’s official post here.
Fans have been waiting, and it’s finally here 🦅
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Season two of #Peacemaker blasted onto #HBOMax with 22% more US households tuning in over its first four days than the season one finale in 2022.
Turns out the wait only made the hype stronger.#SambaTVInsights #PeacemakerS2… pic.twitter.com/d1sua07sai
— Samba TV (@samba_tv) August 25, 2025
Is This the Superman Reboot Effect?
When James Gunn’s Superman reboot, starring David Corenswet as the titular superhero, stormed into theaters worldwide on July 11, 2025, it became an instant hit among audiences. With a current global haul of over $605 million (Box Office Mojo), alongside strong reviews (83% critics’ score and 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes), the film firmly established James Gunn’s DCU vision.
