The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has faced a challenging streak of underperforming films, the latest being Blue Beetle’s global box office take of $43.4 million last weekend.
Over the course of the last few releases, the franchise has struggled to replicate the box office success of its early hits (admittedly critical flops) such as Man of Steel ($668,045,518), Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice ($873,634,919), Wonder Woman ($821,847,012) and the billion-dollar performance of Aquaman. With movies like Blue Beetle facing lackluster returns and The Flash bombing, questions arise about the root causes of this underperformance.
A Shaky Foundation
It could be argued that the DCEU never really took off as its first three films Man of Steel (55% on Rotten Tomatoes), Batman v Superman (29% on Rotten Tomatoes) and Suicide Squad (26% on Rotten Tomatoes) underperformed as they never completely clicked with audiences and critics. While many would argue (myself included) that Man of Steel did introduce the DCEU successfully from a storytelling standpoint, it never got the sequel it deserved.
But those films were followed by the critically acclaimed Wonder Woman (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and Shazam! (90% on Rotten Tomatoes) While not critically acclaimed, Aquaman (66% on Rotten Tomatoes) did far better than the other DCEU films and has grossed the most money.
However, the DCEU has recently witnessed a string of box office flops. The last seven films—Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, The Suicide Squad (critically acclaimed), Black Adam, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, and most recently, Blue Beetle—have failed to achieve the financial and critical acclaim that was once synonymous with the brand.
Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey ($201 million)
Wonder Woman 1984 ($166 million)
The Suicide Squad ($167 million)
Black Adam ($391 million)
Shazam! Fury of the Gods ($132 million)
The Flash ($268 million)
Blue Beetle ($43.4 million and counting)
Two of these films faced extenuating circumstances. Wonder Woman 1984 was launched in 2020 on the fledgling HBO Max during the pandemic. The film, while unwatchable, also had to compete with itself in the box office. As for The Flash, Ezra Miller’s well-documented troubles seemed to be a turn-off for movie audiences.
It also didn’t help that Grant Gustin’s The Flash ended a 9-year TV run on the CW just a month earlier.
Another key factor contributing to the DCEU’s struggles is the inconsistent quality of the films. While some, like The Suicide Squad, managed to receive more positive reviews, others such as Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, faced criticism for convoluted storytelling and character development as well as shoddy cgi. This inconsistency has led to a lack of audience trust, impacting both box office revenue and overall brand perception.
it’s important to note that the performance of individual movies can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including competition at the box office, critical reception, marketing efforts, release strategy, and more. While $43.4 million might not be considered a strong opening for Blue Beetle, it’s not uncommon for movies to experience fluctuations in box office revenue throughout their run.
Poor Choices in Narrative
The DCEU’s approach to continuity and storytelling has been perceived by audiences and critics as disjointed and confusing at times. The concept of a multiverse, while potentially offering creative opportunities, can also alienate audiences who seek cohesive narratives and character arcs. This lack of clarity can lead to viewer disengagement.
The fact is Black Adam is an anti-hero at best. But Dwayne Johnson’s brand and ego would not let that happen. Black Adam is to Shazam what Lex Luthor is to Superman. He should have been introduced in Shazam! Fury of the Gods as opposed to the three lame villains we got.
Wonder Woman 1984 waited until the third act to introduce Kisten Wigg as Cheetah. The character is a favorite of WW fans. Yet Patty Jenkins and WB chose to relegate her to the last few minutes of the film. Lucky or them they did because her cgi was terrible.
DCEU Fatigue
Another concern is that audiences just feel burned by so many lackluster DC films. The films have tended to be formulaic and hollow. The release of multiple and mediocre to bad superhero films in quick succession, coupled with the reliance on familiar characters, can lead to diminishing returns as audiences seek fresh and innovative storytelling.
As for the concept of “superhero fatigue,” it’s a topic that has been debated in recent years as superhero movies have become a dominant force in the entertainment industry. Both the DCEU and Marvel Studios have contributed to this trend. It’s true that not every superhero movie will be a massive hit, and audience interest can vary over time. Some factors that could contribute to perceived fatigue include the frequency of releases, formulaic storytelling, and the challenge of keeping narratives fresh.
Keep in mind that James Gunn and Peter Safran announced DC Studios in January and the new slate of films. Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash and Blue Beetle were rendered impotent by this announcement.
Confusing Productions
Some DCEU films have faced production challenges, including changes in directors and creative vision mid-production. These disruptions can impact the final product and result in a lack of coherence in tone and storytelling, ultimately affecting audience reception.
In some cases, the productions don’t see the light of day. Looking at you, Batgirl.
Competition from Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios’ consistent (not as much anymore) and well-received slate of films and TV shows has set a high bar for the superhero genre. The competition between the DCEU and Marvel has created expectations for both franchises to continuously deliver engaging content. Marvel’s success, coupled with the DCEU’s struggles, has inevitably led to comparisons that highlight the latter’s shortcomings.
So are audiences just fed up with DC? Is the brand dead?
Not exactly. The DCEU’s struggles in comparison to the success of standalone films like Joker, The Batman and Aquaman do indicate that there might be room for improvement in terms of cohesive storytelling, tone, and character development within the DCEU as a whole.
James Gunn’s work on The Suicide Squad, which was received more positively than its predecessor, indicates that different creative approaches can influence the perception of the franchise. His upcoming DCU projects might indeed benefit from the lessons learned from previous DCEU films.
The upcoming release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and other planned projects will serve as a litmus test for the DCEU’s ability to bounce back from this series of setbacks. With the success of standalone films like The Batman proving that there is still interest in the characters, DC Studios’ efforts to revamp the franchise and offer fresh perspectives could potentially reinvigorate audience enthusiasm.
The DCU’s journey to reclaim its former glory will undoubtedly require a strategic reevaluation of its storytelling approach, character development, and engagement with evolving audience expectations. Only time will tell whether the universe can overcome these challenges and soar to new heights once again.
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The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
