The Flash movie even failed to crack the early $70 million weekend projection as the Ezra Miller starrer feature landed below Black Adam‘s 3-day earnings. With an estimated $55.1M opening, the speedster movie’s outcome is being compared to the likes of Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is considered to be the lackluster comic book movie title entry of the year though it still managed to rake in higher than The Flash.
The abysmal global opening earning of $139M for The Flash has some fans praising Black Adam which brought in $142M. But aside from comparisons – The Flash flopping at the BO has fans discussing where the problem lies with the masses on social media pointing fingers at Ezra Miller’s past behavior. Moreover, the lack of a marketing campaign and press junket featuring cast members & promotions on Tonight Show being a no-show due to the Writers’ strike were also mentioned by insiders like Grace Randolph as hurdles that may have impacted its box office start.
While Ezra Miller was present on the red carpet – they made a limited appearance and barely interacted with the press and fans at the premiere. Moreover, their presence also received backlash for failing to hold them accountable while cancel culture heavily targeted other stars like Jonathan Majors for their controversial behavior.
A few critics mocked the early buzz from Tom Cruise & other Hollywood stars for The Flash since the general moviegoers have not shared the same enthusiasm. With a shockingly weak ‘B’ CinemaScore from a comic book movie hailed as one of the best entries from the genre – The Flash movie has failed to crack the big box office numbers on the opening weekend.
The Flash movie opening barely crossed 2011’s Green Lantern released 12 years ago, says box office expert
The three-day earnings are almost as same as 2019’s Shazam, notes BO analyst Luiz Fernando. Surprisingly, some experts are also noting the movie could end its box office run under $350 million but it’s too soon to tell.
That’s it
Worlds Collided indeed over #TheFlash, as the DCFilm massively underperforms industry’s projections with shocking 55.1M 3-day opening weekend at US #BoxOffice, almost same as 2019 #Shazam.
But without #Shazam’s positive WOM,it’ll be lucky if even crosses 110M US run
1/2 pic.twitter.com/oLuqSS0u3p— Luiz Fernando (@Luiz_Fernando_J) June 18, 2023
This is the latest example of how online fandom, which drives/leads to overly positive media coverage, is not indicative of general moviegoer interest. The real world didn't care about Miller's crimes, Keaton's cameo or Gunn's reset. They also didn't care about #TheFlash. pic.twitter.com/48j75rAvED
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) June 18, 2023
What’s going on with box office tracking? Three months ago they were saying THE FLASH was going to make 140 million, then they adjusted it to 70 million last week… and then it opened at 55 million
— Jesse Hawken (@jessehawken) June 18, 2023
#TheFlash is now projected to end its worldwide box office run under $350M which would be less than:
-Black Adam
-Eternals
-Black Widow
-UnchartedWarner Bros will lose $300M on this movie as a result of the underwhelming response from fans. pic.twitter.com/yAjqaq206n
— Media & Money (@nextmediaxyz) June 18, 2023
$55.1M opening wknd for #TheFlash was pretty much the same as the $53.2M opening for the Ryan Reynolds #GreenLantern movie from this very same wknd 12 yrs ago! GL opening wknd #boxoffice would actually be about $70M at today's ticket prices.
— Gitesh Pandya (@GiteshPandya) June 18, 2023
A few blame WBD’s premature decision to announce the rebooting of DCEU with Gunnverse’s Gods and Monsters while DC Films from the past regime were still on the release calendar. Although James Gunn did indicate it would not be a complete reset – rampant rumors from insiders and speculations have suggested otherwise. Eventually, The interest in upcoming films like Aquaman 2 slowly degraded over the failure to deliver an inter-connected universe.
Others have criticized the studio for featuring way too many fan screenings which allowed for more spoilers to surface online before its premiere. In fact, Christopher Reeve’s Superman cameo and several other big takeaways were spoiled early on. Furthermore, Zack Snyder‘s DC Film fans also stressed the lack of Snyderverse characters at the front and center, instances such as promos revealing a faceless Superman irked the fanbase. All in all, it appears The Flash may fail to be profitable for Warner Bros. Discovery. Readers can check out reactions below.
I just know Kevin Feige giggling and kicking his feet watch The Flash flop harder than Quantumania this weekend 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/VAgmFUlGlj
— ` (@WandasAttorney) June 18, 2023
I fully believe that if social media hadn’t leaked a bunch of footage and turned against The Flash in the final week before it came out, the box office numbers would look A LOT different right now.
It’s a shame. The movie is insanely fun and truly nails Barry Allen and his arc. pic.twitter.com/14H6rSbIz7
— Lane Mills (@lane_chm) June 19, 2023
This is genuinely shocking. To come in UNDER Black Adam’s opening weekend?! 🤯 Hopefully this has some decent legs.
I think this just goes to show that the general audience does NOT care about anything DC-related and that it’s time for a reboot. https://t.co/WQGYrP2rKN
— CanWeGetSomeToast (@CanWeGetToast) June 18, 2023
This #TheFlash box office discourse feels so similar to Birds of Prey. Like it did way below expectations and everyone thinks THEY KNOW the answer but everyone’s answer is different 😂
— Ryan Hoss (@smb_ryan) June 19, 2023
I think The Flash flopped at the box office because we were told before the movie came out that nothing that happens in the movie matters. So there was not point in people going to see it.
— Robert Jefferson (@comicsexplained) June 18, 2023
You have to admit it's humorous how something like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania or Thor: Love and Thunder comes out and everyone collectively shrugs like "what are you gonna do." And then The Flash comes out and suddenly everyone is like "MEDIOCRITY CANNOT BE TOLERATED!"
— ☕Stephen M. Colbert (@smcolbert) June 19, 2023
Even looking pass the Ezra Miller stuff, the Flash movie underperforming at the box office should probably be a cautionary tale to studios that "maybe launching a presentation confirming our movies will be getting rebooted soon is poison to our remaining ones in the old universe"
— crimson_echidna (BLM) (@crimson_echidna) June 18, 2023
I legitimately think blue beetle is going to do a lot better in the box office then #TheFlash
August is a lot less packed month.
Plus, I don’t know I feel like cobra Kai fans are bigger than we think lol pic.twitter.com/8CQ0pvSVXl
— Daren 🏳️🌈⚡️🎉 (@Daren_Mcclimans) June 19, 2023
A movie with MICHAEL KEATON BATMAN RETURNING AND SUPERGIRL AND THE FLASH AND AFFLECK BATMAN featuring the iconic flashpoint plot line is bombing at the box office…
It’s disheartening, worrying, and kinda shocking all at the same time
— Coby — YouTuber (@slcmof) June 18, 2023
As much as I liked The Flash (saw it twice and will buy on 4K), I can't say I feel sad about its box office performance. Ezra's behaviours have consequences and they need to be held to account. I don't blame anyone for skipping it due to Ezra. pic.twitter.com/4pyW7RqJQF
— Cal (@StrayButler91) June 19, 2023
#TheFlash has opened domestically just above the first Shazam movie and less than Black Adam. WB should be embarrassed they let the DC brand get this damaged. People really thought this would be a billion dollar hit lol pic.twitter.com/xSvlfOAgzo
— Nicholas Whitcomb (@Whos_Nick) June 18, 2023
The Flash opened with a disastrous $55.1m opening weekend Domestic
That's a full $12 Million lower than Black Adam which was considered a commercial flop as well
DC Movies Box Office is completely collapsing. Hopefully James Gunn can turn things around with Superman Legacy pic.twitter.com/DmaiwvwWCc
— Benji-Sales (@BenjiSales) June 18, 2023
At this point FULL REBOOT no one comes back
& I say this as someone who unabashedly LOVES Margot, Viola, Cena & the rest of the entire Suicide Squad.
The DCEU is so broken & I love the concept of somethings sticking around but after the Flash Box office the audience needs it https://t.co/8P7PeimrCY
— Zach Pope (@popetheking) June 18, 2023
Instead of listening when fans stated they were not going to see the movie because of Ezra, WB said yeah right. Now that fans stood by their word we want to have all these complex conversations about why #TheFlash is failing at the box office. Your viewers told you why it would!
— Material Blerd! 🪄 (@Blerdybynature) June 18, 2023
The Flash’s weak box office is a combo of bad word of mouth, a cloying marketing campaign, and Ezra’s issues.
Elemental is fully on the hands of Chapek and other D brass for
killing the Pixar brand during the pandemic with too many D+ direct releases & odd talking points.— Maxwell "Swell" Haddad (@cinemaxwell) June 18, 2023
On the bright side, Andy Muscheitti may have more story to tell if DC Studios greenlights a sequel. The director recently confirmed (speaking on The Playlist’s The Discourse) he would introduce Reverse-Flash if there is a second installment and also revealed the villain “is the murdered of Barry’s mom”.
Another villain known for being a pest for The Flash is Gorilla Grodd, a character that he also hopes to introduce among many more. However, with the Muschettis onboard to helm DC Studios’ The Brave and the Bold – it is unclear if there will be a follow-up to The Flash movie or going by the box office estimates, some argue there will be a reboot after Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Meanwhile, hope remains for Blue Beetle – the first character from the new DCU according to James Gunn. The standalone was initially in the making as part of the old DC Extended Universe and as a direct-to-HBO Max feature though post the Discovery merger – it has been positioned for a theatrical release.
The Flash is currently running in theaters worldwide.
