In a world dominated by superheroes, it's no surprise that Warner Bros. Discovery has its fair share of masked vigilantes. Indeed, it seems that even in a universe where the laws of physics can be bent and reality can be warped, superheroes are not immune to the harsh realities of market trends and box office ratings. This truth has struck a blow to DC's superhero roster with the recent disappointments of their latest production, The Flash.
One of the most anticipated superhero films of the year, The Flash, recently opened in theaters, banking on its nostalgia factor and the global popularity of its titular character. The film's underwhelming reception, however, has cast a dark cloud over Warner Bros. Discovery's revenue projections.
Despite the global popularity of the Flash character and the hype surrounding the film, including rave reviews from critics, the movie only made a disappointing $55.1 million during its opening weekend, falling short of its projected earnings. Its total domestic earnings as of Monday were estimated at $64 million, a far cry from the initial hopes of the producers. The Flash's global debut now stands at $139 million.
This troubling performance by The Flash continues a troubling trend that started after James Wan's Aquaman pulled in a billion at the global box office in 2018. Since then, each DCEU film has disappointed, with the most recent outings, Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, failing to impress audiences.