The 2023 movie adaptation of The Flash didn’t do well at the box office, earning around $271 million worldwide while costing between $200 and $300 million to make. The director, Andy Muschietti, pointed out several reasons for its failure.
He mentioned that the film didn’t appeal to a wide audience, especially failing to attract female viewers. Many people simply didn’t show interest in the Flash character. Although the film had a strong opening weekend, its earnings dropped sharply in the following weeks, more so than other films released around the same time.
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Muschietti also recognized that Ezra Miller’s off-screen issues and the negative attention surrounding them affected how people viewed the movie. These problems emerged even before the film came out and hurt its marketing efforts. Additionally, he suggested that audiences might be tired of superhero movies.
The movie received mixed reviews, scoring 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and a B CinemaScore, indicating that audience reactions were not very enthusiastic. These ratings were lower than those of several earlier DC Extended Universe films. Despite having a notable cast, including Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, and Sasha Calle, the marketing didn’t lead to lasting box office success.
Comparisons with other successful DC films like Wonder Woman and Aquaman highlighted The Flash’s struggles, particularly with female viewers. While the director stood by the film, there were various criticisms about its storyline, visual effects, and Ezra Miller’s acting. The film went through significant changes during production, including removing planned scenes and adding last-minute cameos, which seemed to hurt its overall quality.
The failure of The Flash adds to the ongoing problems faced by the DC Extended Universe before its recent reboot. Even with initial excitement and the return of popular actors, the movie’s lack of success highlights the challenges in making a profitable superhero film. The poor box office performance, negative reviews, and controversies surrounding Ezra Miller led to questions about the future of the Flash character in the newly revamped DC Universe.
