The film “Blue Beetle” surprisingly overtook “Barbie” at the North American box office, claiming the top spot. However, its debut was softer than anticipated, raking in $25.4 million.
International Performance and Comparison with Other DC Films
Internationally, “Blue Beetle”, starring Xolo Maridueña, added another $18 million across 63 markets. Globally, with a total of $43 million, it’s one of the more modest debuts in the history of the DC Cinematic Universe. Moreover, this is the third DC film in 2023 to have a slower start, following “Shazam: Fury of the Gods” and “The Flash”.
The Enduring “Barbie”
On the other hand, after reigning supreme for four consecutive weekends, “Barbie” secured a commendable second place, with $21.5 million. This fantasy-comedy directed by Greta Gerwig has already amassed $567 million and is soon expected to surpass the animated “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” as the top release of the year in North America.
Investment and Return on “Blue Beetle”
Producing “Blue Beetle” cost over $100 million, not including promotional expenses. Thus, the film faces the challenge of outperforming expectations to justify its investment. Reviews and word of mouth might not be as favorable; the movie holds a “B+” CinemaScore and a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Future Outlook for the Superhero Genre
Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, the plot revolves around Jaime Reyes, a recent college graduate who becomes the symbiotic host of an ancient alien biotech relic, turning him into the superhero known as Blue Beetle. David A. Gross, from Franchise Entertainment Research, commented on the current state of superhero films, suggesting that upcoming releases like “Aquaman 2” and “The Marvels” will be pivotal for the genre’s future.
Other Box Office Highlights
Other films, such as the comedy “Strays” and the dramas “Oppenheimer” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”, also made their mark at the box office, with varied results.