Superhero fatigue hits hard
The dazzling world of superheroes that once ruled the box office is now showing signs of wear and tear. Recent superhero disappointments like “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” “Blue Beetle” and “Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” have added to the growing trend of superhero movies underperforming at the box office.
”The Marvels” in trouble
The newest addition to this trend is “The Marvels,” the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s “Captain Marvel.” The original film raked in a whopping $153 million in its opening weekend, ultimately earning a staggering $426 million domestically and an additional $704 million from international sales. However, the sequel is not faring as well, with projections indicating a potential meager opening of just $35 million.
The original film starring Brie Larson as Captain Marvel was a massive success, but the sequel reportedly cost a staggering $275 million, not including the substantial marketing budget required for a film of its scale.
Projections and predictions
The disheartening predictions for “The Marvels” come from a trusted source, BoxOfficePro.com. Just a few weeks ago, the site estimated that the film would bring in between $50-75 million, but now those estimates have plummeted to $35 million to $49 million. This significant drop in projections is especially alarming considering the massive marketing push and the star-studded cast attached to the film.
Even with a new trailer for “The Marvels” that features footage from previous “Avengers” movies to generate excitement for the sequel, the film is still expected to struggle at the box office.
Critic reviews
It appears that not even the critics can save “The Marvels” at this point. Directed by Nia DaCosta, the film has received lackluster reviews, with several critics labeling it as the worst film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date. The film currently holds a 62 percent “fresh” rating on RottenTomatoes.com, with some reviewers acknowledging the female heroes while others critiqued the film’s execution.
Here’s what some critics had to say:
“It’s almost as if the suits at Marvel Studios know it doesn’t matter if their movies are any good.” – The New York Times
“A narrative and visual jumble, and the clearest evidence yet that maybe we don’t need some sort of Marvel product in theaters or on streaming at all times.” – RogerEbert.com
Disney’s financial woes continue
The disappointing projections for “The Marvels” come as Disney grapples with ongoing financial challenges. The company recently announced a $2 billion reduction in its spending plans, reflecting its persistent fiscal struggles. Disney’s financial woes have been further compounded by a recent round of layoffs, which saw 7,000 jobs being cut worldwide.
“The Marvels” is just one among a string of box office disappointments for Disney, with films like “Haunted Mansion,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and “The Creator” failing to make an impression at the box office.
Overall, the superhero genre seems to be losing its once firm grip on the box office, and “The Marvels” is a stark example of this unfortunate trend, leaving both fans and industry insiders skeptical about the future of superhero movies in theaters. Only time will tell if the trend will continue or if superhero films will rise again from this period of decline.
