James Gunn’s Blue Beetle Earned Less Money Than Marvel’s Most Infamous Movie
The year in question has undeniably been a tumultuous one for the DCU when it comes to its endeavors on the grand cinematic stage. In the midst of this turmoil, the arrival of the long-awaited Blue Beetle film failed to provide the much-needed respite. Instead of serving as a beacon of hope, the movie’s release merely intensified the skepticism surrounding the DCU’s cinematic ventures. As the curtains raised on the opening weekend of Blue Beetle, the box office numbers whispered a somber tale.
The film’s earnings for its debut weekend attained a dubious distinction, etching its name in the annals of cinematic history for the least successful domestic box office collection during an opening weekend. The very comparison between Blue Beetle and one of Marvel’s past box office flops Morbius inevitably leads to a sobering contemplation. The latter managed to outshine the former by registering higher earnings during their respective domestic opening weekends. Amidst the evolving film landscape and changing audience demands, the film’s performance prompts reflection on changing superhero cinema.
Blue Beetle Falls Short of Morbius in Box Office Battle
In the realm of superhero cinema, the comparison between Morbius and Blue Beetle highlighted the volatility of box office success and the unpredictability of audience reception. Last Year Morbius gained traction right from its first Friday, pulling in a solid $17.1 million from 4,268 theaters. In its domestic opening, the movie Morbius outperformed Blue Beetle by a significant margin, raking in $39 million at the box office during its theatrical debut. This marked a remarkable $14 million difference in earnings between the two films within the same duration. DC’s comic book adaptation movie faced a less fortunate fate.
‘BLUE BEETLE’ earned less money than ‘MORBIUS’ on its domestic box office opening weekend. pic.twitter.com/5NzAifIEnj
— The Hollywood Handle (@hollywoodhandle) August 20, 2023
Despite high anticipation and predictions that initially estimated a $30 million opening weekend, the movie fell short of expectations. James Gunn‘s Blue Beetle carried a hefty production budget of $120 million, making it the third of four DC films scheduled for theatrical release in 2023. Unfortunately, the movie’s actual box office earnings were far from reaching the budget or projections, making it a substantial financial disappointment.
The contrast between Morbius and Blue Beetle drew attention due to the stark difference in their reception and performance. Initially, Morbius managed to draw audiences, but its overall quality and appeal seemed to wane quickly, leading to its designation as a letdown, especially among fans of Spider-Man and his array of iconic villains. In stark contrast, DC’s movie confronted hurdles at the box office, yet remarkably discovered a haven of comfort within the embrace of its devoted fan community.
Blue Beetle‘s Box Office Disappointment
Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle stands out as Hollywood’s groundbreaking live-action superhero film, featuring a Latino protagonist in the lead role. The film’s significance as a breakthrough project is accentuated by its casting of Xolo Maridueña as the titular character. Despite its potential for success, the film has encountered disappointing results at the box office, debuting with figures that are being labeled as the lowest for DC films in nearly two decades.
The movie managed to gross $25.4 million domestically and $18 million internationally, culminating in a global earnings total of $43 million. Notably, the film’s performance came under scrutiny in comparison to Shazam! Fury of the Gods, as Blue Beetle earned just $100,000 less than the Shazam sequel during Thursday previews alone.
In spite of its lackluster box office performance, the movie has garnered commendation from both fans and critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the superhero movie achieved a certified fresh critics score of 76 percent, alongside an audience score of 92 percent. Initial reviews highlighted several strengths in this latest blockbuster. While Blue Beetle struggled to make its mark at the box office, its positive reception from reviewers and audiences alike serves as a testament to the film’s quality and potential impact.
Source: X
