In 2023, Disney and Warner Bros. had a few of their greatest bombs throughout the so-called period of “superhero fatigue,” the place audiences have been vocal about their obvious weariness of the style. That yr, each studios scored a collection of spectacular duds on the field workplace, with Marvel Studios’ solely main winner being “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” which grossed $845 million. Whereas that is a commendable quantity, the movie did not outgross its predecessor. The studio additionally launched “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” to mediocre reception, with the threequel grossing just below $465 million. In comparison with earlier hauls and field workplace highs, Marvel Studios was doing poorly, with their setbacks much more pronounced as soon as “The Marvels” hit the display.
Audiences confirmed appreciable indifference to DC flicks as effectively, with Warner Bros. releasing 4 movies final yr: “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” “The Flash,” “Blue Beetle,” and “Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom” — all of them aside from “Aquaman” both bombed or underperformed. A minimum of the abysmal run of “The Flash” was partially saved, because of first rate VOD receipts. Whereas the DC model hasn’t been as prolific when in comparison with Marvel’s choices, these back-to-back disappointments are little question telling that viewers tastes have modified.
In the end, each studios are doing their darndest to get butts again into seats and revive the outdated days of billion-dollar hauls. And with “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Superman” on the horizon, Marvel and DC may obtain bona fide hits to reignite pleasure.