DC’s latest cinematic venture, Blue Beetle, faced a slow start at the box office, raising questions about its financial success for Warner Bros. (WB). While the film garnered decent reviews, its initial international opening was disappointing, marking the worst debut weekend in the history of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
A Lukewarm Box Office Debut
Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto and featuring Xolo Maridueña as the titular hero, Blue Beetle opened internationally with a modest $18 million, setting a concerning precedent for the film’s financial performance. Despite this underwhelming start, the film’s favorable critical reception, with a 78% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, provides hope for increased audience turnout.
Financial Performance and Expectations
Although Blue Beetle may have stumbled out of the gate, it has managed to accumulate over $60 million domestically, surpassing another DC film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Industry insiders, including box office analyst Luiz Fernando, predict that the film could ultimately reach $70-$75 million in North America, securing its place as the 11th highest-grossing DCEU film domestically.
Globally, Blue Beetle has earned over $106 million, albeit placing it at the bottom of the hierarchy within the DC comic book franchise. This financial performance pales in comparison to films like Wonder Woman 1984 and The Suicide Squad, which were not exclusively released in theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, it’s worth noting that Blue Beetle was originally conceived as a straight-to-streaming original, reflecting lower expectations from the outset. Its relatively modest budget and a seemingly conservative marketing campaign further emphasized its unconventional status among WB’s major releases.
Implications for the New DC Universe
The disappointing box office results of DC films in 2023 underscore the need for course correction within the DC Universe. The appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran to oversee the franchise signals a renewed focus on revitalizing the DC brand, which boasts some of the most iconic superheroes in the world.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has acknowledged that franchises like DC have been underutilized in the past. He expressed a commitment to developing a comprehensive 10-year plan for DC, recognizing its immense potential.
James Gunn’s approach involves rebooting a significant portion of the DC Universe, commencing with Superman: Legacy in 2025, featuring David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel. While Blue Beetle may not be part of this initial plan, Gunn has emphasized its significance as the first DCU character.
Despite the commercial underperformance of Blue Beetle and recent DC films, the focus remains firmly on the future. The success or failure of Superman: Legacy in the coming years will likely have a more substantial impact on the DCU’s trajectory. While Blue Beetle struggled at the box office, its positive reception among fans offers a glimmer of hope for the DC cinematic universe.
Blue Beetle is currently screening in theaters and will be available on digital VOD platforms on Tuesday, September 26.