While Shazam 2 received positive early reactions, its rotten tomatoes score is a fall-from-grace moment that has DCU fans shaken. The second installment debuted with a fresh 70% and its latest promos featuring Wonder Woman’s (Gal Gadot) cameo only added more anticipation among fans. Sadly, the sequel has failed to appeal to critics though some have questioned film pundits being overly critical over comic book movies sighting the low ratings for Ant-Man 2.
It seems not even Gal Gadot’s appearance was enough to save Shazam! Fury of the Gods from being review bombed on Rotten Tomatoes. Since its world premiere, the Zachary Levi starrer sequel has been called a decent comic book movie with heart, humor and action. However, with the review embargo up – several critics have begun sharing their in-depth analysis with many like movie pundit Jeremy Jahns stating the sequel does not have the magic that made 2019’s Shazam a success.
As of this writing, Shazam! Fury of the Gods stands at a Rotten 55% score with 108 reviews. Initially, when the score dipped to 60% – folks were comparing it to Aquaman which earned a similar RT score and still ended up joining the billion-dollar club. Even so, the audience score is strong with 80% over 100+ verified ratings as of this writing. It should be noted that fans who were part of the preview screenings have described Shazam! as a “good fun popcorn movie”. In addition, a conversation over critics being harsher on superhero movies is also an ongoing dissent. Readers can check it out below.
Early reviews still praised Shazam 2’s choice of villains with the daughters of Atlas. Jack Dylan Grazer‘s funny performance once again stood out though Asher Angel apparently has less screen time compared to his grown-up counterpart played by Levi. Nevertheless, the fandom was also divided in blaming Warner Bros. film for the lack of promotions for Shazam 2 while another section of DCEU folks critiqued the studio’s marketing for spoiling Gal Gadot’s appearance.
Rotten, damn pic.twitter.com/Am3HztxfYR
— SyL ☕ #ValZodToAmazon (@sylabdul) March 16, 2023
Shazam 2 Rottenpic.twitter.com/QHNzD8ttRi
— Turtle 🔱 (@HYHussein7) March 16, 2023
Ugh that’s really unfortunate because i just watched #ShazamFurryOfTheGods and it’s absolutely delightful!! I think it’s better than the first! Left with a huge smile on my face!! Go see it!!⚡️ https://t.co/tu81tabVlg
— matt🎟 (@M_J_Montelongo) March 16, 2023
Something is going on here because it should not even be close to this score.
Critics are getting pretty absurd about comic book movies now.
Will post review in a few. 👊 pic.twitter.com/C00oQFU4Po
— Home of DCU (@homeofdcu) March 17, 2023
Jeremy Jahns says you won't remember Shazam! Fury of the Gods after 1 day pic.twitter.com/Y2ys2VcEg6
— Kam Kenobi 💫 (@kamkenobi) March 16, 2023
#ShazamFuryOfTheGods the rotten tomatoes scored is just wrong don't know what the critics want. I encourage you to watch the filmed, @wbd needed to promote this more, if it's failed is on them.
— Objective Review (@ObjectiveRevie1) March 17, 2023
Who cares? Shazam Fury of The Gods is rotten. Nothing matters anymore https://t.co/P1Pm5kPR3b
— Kevin (@KevinTalks12) March 16, 2023
no way does it deserve this rating, after so many of the mcu films have gotten a pass too…..this one has genuine heart and some of the best comedy i’ve seen in a cbm. exactly why i don’t trust rotten tomatoes. https://t.co/zgGKGr0TgS
— m saw shazam fotg (@harcourtsquads) March 16, 2023
So I guess all the critics that are giving Shazam 2 a rotten review are all Maga Republicans too right? https://t.co/CAoZMDviqK
— Mr Gone (@Zero69022) March 17, 2023
It’s kind of crazy how it was supposed to go up against Avatar 2 https://t.co/wbarc5SIju
— Smiso (@directorsmiso) March 16, 2023
My thoughts exactly, a few years ago there's no way Quantumania gets a rotten score nd Shazam 2 would be around 80%. Studios need to change the formula everything all feels generic rn…This might sound crazy but I think MOS would have been well received if it came out today…. https://t.co/Kv9AVndh3s
— Jordan (@Vegapunk212) March 16, 2023
Kinda ironic how the kind of super-hero films that critics always ask for doesn't actually work for them. https://t.co/WFZtQxMH2T
— Flilis Skywalker 🇧🇷 💛❤💙🤍 (@flilisoffexegol) March 16, 2023
Warner Bros trying to drop this 2 pack of ass before the DC reboot https://t.co/OoK3Hh1cMG pic.twitter.com/LpGQmxIge0
— The Poon Is Not Enough (@Brosnan_in_1997) March 16, 2023
Someone said that the review embargo dropping a day before the release is nothing to be worried about. 💀 https://t.co/gImhnWqebL
— Gays and Monsters 🦞👻💃🕊️🦄 (@whenbatmenfly) March 16, 2023
Shazam: Fury of the Gods: I expected 70-80% on this movie after seeing it. If the Rotten Tomatoes score trends higher, not surprised. The audience score should land around 85-90% It's a good fun popcorn movie. Don't expect an Oscar level movie here; it's super entertaining! pic.twitter.com/0VvENNhFKF
— Lamarr Wilson (@LamarrWilson) March 15, 2023
Damn I was hoping Shazam wouldn’t hit the rotten territory. I’m getting nervous for Guardians 3 https://t.co/Qtcry2rvcz
— houze with a Z. (@TravisHouze) March 16, 2023
Lol the replies. Suddenly critics opinions are meaningless huh https://t.co/mBfrcT9hFs
— Nick (@ItsJustN1ck) March 16, 2023
I honestly blame this on every 20 superhero projects we get every year. I feel like people just expect too much… https://t.co/WfNEa9fWu3
— Nicholas Mendes (@nickthenerd__) March 16, 2023
My confidence in superhero movies is dwindling fast…
I need GOTG 3 😭 https://t.co/4aQn3mPRrL
— Saint Yeetus (Baba Yaga Era) (@SaintYeetus) March 16, 2023
Shazam 2 is expected to earn $35 million plus on the opening weekend when the first film brought in $53.5M. The DCEU movie was originally scheduled to release during Avatar 2’s theatrical window and from the looks of it, WB dodged a bullet by moving its date.
The low projected earnings is already raising concerns of superhero fatigue at a time when James Gunn is starting to laying the founding blocks for a new interconnected universe with DCU’s Gods and Monsters. With Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ stumbling start, it remains to be seen if Zachary Levi’s Shazam has a future in the upcoming world-building.
Directed by David F. Sandberg, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is available to watch in theaters worldwide as of March 17, 2023.
