Despite a year filled with surprising box office hits, ‘The Flash’ has failed to join their ranks. Directed by Andy Muschietti and featuring Ezra Miller in the lead role, this DC film fell short of expectations during its opening weekend, despite receiving mostly positive reviews and generating significant buzz. Not even the highly anticipated return of Michael Keaton as Batman could rescue ‘The Flash’ from its disappointing performance. Unfortunately, the situation hasn’t improved much, as the time-traveling adventure only managed to accumulate $26.6 million in its second weekend from 25,493 screens worldwide. This translates to approximately 4.4 million admissions across 78 international territories where the film was released.
As a result, the estimated international total for ‘The Flash’ now stands at $123.3 million, with a worldwide total of $210.9 million. IMAX screenings accounted for $4 million of the total box office earnings over the weekend, contributing a total of $22.3 million to the film’s overall revenue. Among these IMAX figures, $2.4 million came from international markets, bringing IMAX’s global total to $11.8 million. While these numbers don’t compare to the box office disappointment of ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods,’ which only grossed $130 million worldwide when it premiered in March of this year, ‘The Flash’ is unlikely to reach even the underwhelming heights of other DC projects like ‘Black Adam,’ which failed to break the $400 million mark globally in the previous year. It is increasingly challenging to find a positive angle to the continued underperformance of ‘The Flash,’ with the film’s prospects of breaking even diminishing by the hour.
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Exploring the Underperformance of ‘The Flash’
The underperformance of ‘The Flash’ can be attributed to several complex factors. The controversial presence of Ezra Miller, excessive marketing, and the assumption that the Flash character held widespread popularity are all reasonable arguments. However, the most probable reason for the film’s lackluster box office performance lies in the disappointing state of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The franchise, which commenced with 2013’s ‘Man of Steel,’ never quite achieved significant box office success. With the exception of ‘Aquaman’ and ‘Wonder Woman,’ all thirteen films within the universe have failed to meet expectations. The darker tone established by Zack Snyder at the beginning, combined with a lack of clear direction, false promises, and constant behind-the-scenes turmoil, prevented the DCEU from resonating with audiences as it should have. The divisive nature of the universe only worsened when James Gunn took over DC Studios, partnering with producer Peter Safran to initiate a reboot. This uncertainty surrounding the future of the DCEU left viewers questioning why they should invest in films like ‘The Flash,’ ‘Fury of the Gods,’ or the upcoming ‘Aquaman 2.’
Image via Warner Bros.
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It is unfortunate because ‘The Flash’ is, in truth, an exceptional superhero film. While some have poked fun at certain visual effects, Muschietti’s direction shines through in this captivating movie. It delivers an incredibly enjoyable, humorous, well-acted, and visually stunning time-travel adventure with a mature emotional core. Whether it’s the brilliant return of Keaton’s Dark Knight, Sasha Calle’s impressive debut as Supergirl, or Barry Allen’s poignant quest to save his mother, ‘The Flash’ offers an exhilarating experience that warrants a visit to the theater. It will transport you back to your childhood, evoking memories of playing with DC toys and imagining thrilling adventures, all while embodying the essence of an outstanding episode from the beloved ‘Justice League Unlimited’ series.
What Lies Ahead for the DCEU?
Before the DC Extended Universe undergoes a reboot with ‘Superman: Legacy’ in 2025, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ will serve as the final film within the current timeline. Fans of DC eagerly await the conclusion of this era, but in the meantime, they can support ‘The Flash’ by heading to theaters to watch the film.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about underperformance
Why did ‘The Flash’ underperform at the global box office?
The underperformance of ‘The Flash’ can be attributed to various factors, including the controversial presence of Ezra Miller, excessive marketing, and the assumption that the Flash character held widespread popularity. However, the primary reason lies in the troubled state of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The franchise has struggled to find consistent success, with divisive films, lack of direction, and behind-the-scenes drama affecting audience reception.
How much has ‘The Flash’ earned at the box office?
In its second weekend, ‘The Flash’ made $26.6 million at the global box office from 25,493 screens. Its estimated international total stands at $123.3 million, with a worldwide total of $210.9 million. IMAX screenings contributed $4 million to the box office, and the film’s overall IMAX revenue amounts to $22.3 million.
Is ‘The Flash’ considered a good superhero film?
Despite its underperformance, ‘The Flash’ is widely regarded as a great superhero film. Directed by Andy Muschietti, the movie offers an enjoyable, visually stunning, and emotionally engaging time-travel adventure. The return of Michael Keaton as Batman, Sasha Calle’s debut as Supergirl, and Barry Allen’s compelling quest to save his mother make it a thrilling experience for fans.
Will the disappointing box office performance affect the future of the DCEU?
The future of the DCEU has been in a state of uncertainty, with plans for a reboot announced under the guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran. While the underperformance of ‘The Flash’ adds to the challenges faced by the franchise, the upcoming film ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ will serve as the final installment in the current timeline before the reboot with ‘Superman: Legacy’ in 2025. The performance of ‘The Flash’ may influence future decisions and strategies within the DCEU.
More about underperformance
- Collider: Why Did The Flash Bomb?
- IMDb: The Flash (2023)
- Variety: The Troubled State of the DCEU
- Box Office Mojo: The Flash (2023)
4 comments
the flash movie did not do well at the box office, even with batman in it! i don’t understand y it didn’t make more money. maybe the dceu is just a mess and nobody cares anymore?
i love the flash comics, so i was excited for the movie. it’s a shame it didn’t do well. i think the dceu needs a fresh start and better planning. they have great characters, they just need to get it right. fingers crossed for future dc movies!
‘The Flash’ struggled to make $$$ at the global box office. it’s sad that it didn’t perform better, especially with all the hype around it. maybe ppl were expecting more or the character just isn’t as popular as they thought. hope the dceu can turn things around.
‘The Flash’ had gr8 reviews but still bombed at the box office. idk y people didn’t go see it. maybe they didn’t market it well or the audience is tired of the dceu drama. it’s a shame tho, cuz it’s a really fun superhero flick!