Despite featuring more than one Batman, high praise from such individuals as Stephen King (who called the movie “funny, heartfelt and eye-popping”), Tom Cruise (“this is the kind of movie we need right now”) and new DC Studios head James Gunn (who called it “one of the best superhero movies of all-time”), and the studio’s best efforts to curtail Ezra Miller’s controversial behavior off set, The Flash is the worst superhero movie box office flop in history.
While the news might not be as shocking for many avid superhero movie film fans, and those who have been disappointed in many of DC Studios’ recent offerings (Shazam 2, Wonder Woman 2, Black Adam), the fact that The Flash‘s numbers have been as glaringly sub-par as they have been is likely still the cause of some curiosity and consternation, considering The Flash is one of the more popular and recognizable names in the DC Universe pantheon behind Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
The Andy Muschetti-directed The Flash, which is reputed to have cost roughly $220 million to make (along with a $150 million promotional budget) has, as of this writing, earned about a total gross of $105 million after a month in theaters (Source: Box Office Mojo). The Flash earned only $55 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office and dropped a staggering 72.5% the following weekend, making only $15.2 million. The Flash dropped considerably once more for its third week, earning only $5 million. Taking promotional costs into consideration, The Flash has lost Warner Bros. roughly $200 million. In order to be profitable, The Flash would have to earn close to The Batman‘s $771 million; if the projections end up being correct however, it’s unlikely The Flash will even break the $300 million mark.
To put it into perspective, here’s how The Flash stacks up against the other biggest losses that Warner Bros. Discovery has suffered at the box office.
Biggest box office losses in Warner Bros. Discovery history:
- The Flash – $200 million (estimated)
- King Arthur: Legend of the Sword – $153.2 million
- Wonder Woman 1984 – $137 million
- The Matrix Resurrections – $130 million
- Jupiter Ascending – $120 million
- The Suicide Squad – $120 million
- Space Jam: A New Legacy – $111 million
As far as the biggest box office losses in superhero movie history, The Flash‘s $200 million estimated in losses still trumps Shazam! Fury of the Gods ($150 million loss), Wonder Woman 1984 ($137 million loss), Dark Phoenix ($133 million loss), The Suicide Squad ($130 million loss), Black Adam ($100 million loss), Fantastic Four ($100 million loss), R.I.P.D ($92 million loss), The New Mutants ($84 million loss) and Green Lantern ($75 million loss).
There are still two more movies left in the current DC Cinematic Universe, those being Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, before the Gunn/Safran era begins with 2025’s Superman: Legacy, so it remains to be seen if The Flash is the worst superhero movie box office flop in history when all is said and done (not that we’re wishing ill of Blue Beetle or Aquaman 2 of course).
The Flash is currently in theaters and stars Ezra Miller in the titular role, Ben Affleck (Batman), Michael Shannon as Zod, Michael Keaton (Batman), Sasha Calle (Supergirl) and Kiersey Clemons as Iris West.
Do you think it’s surprising that The Flash is the worst superhero movie box office flop in history? Have you seen the film? Did you enjoy it? Let us know in the comments.
