The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has had its fair share of successes, from Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy to Wonder Woman's critically acclaimed solo film. However, not every DC project has been a box office smash. Here are the biggest DC box office flops, ranked.
*15. Jonah Hex (2010) - $10.9 million (worldwide gross)*
Based on the comic book series, Jonah Hex starred Josh Brolin as the titular character. Despite its promising premise, the film received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office.
*14. The Losers (2010) - $29.9 million (worldwide gross)*
This adaptation of the Vertigo comic series boasted an impressive cast, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Zoe Saldana. Unfortunately, it failed to resonate with audiences.
*13. Green Lantern (2011) - $219.9 million (worldwide gross)*
Ryan Reynolds' turn as Hal Jordan had potential, but the film's poor reception and high production costs made it a financial disappointment.
*12. The Post-Modern Prometheus (1997) - $30.1 million (worldwide gross)*
This made-for-TV movie, based on a classic Batman comic, struggled to find an audience.
*11. Catwoman (2004) - $82.1 million (worldwide gross)*
Despite Halle Berry's captivating performance, this standalone film failed to impress critics or fans.
*10. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) - $36.8 million (worldwide gross)*
The fourth installment in the classic Superman series, starring Christopher Reeve, suffered from a weak plot and lackluster box office performance.
*9. Superman III (1983) - $132.5 million (worldwide gross)*
Although not a complete failure, this third Superman film received mixed reviews and underperformed compared to its predecessors.
*8. Steel (1997) - $1.7 million (worldwide gross)*
Shaquille O'Neal's superhero debut was met with scathing reviews and an abysmal box office performance.
*7. Batman & Robin (1997) - $238.3 million (worldwide gross)*
Joel Schumacher's Batman sequel, starring George Clooney, was criticized for its campy tone and poor plot.
*6. Supergirl (1984) - $14.3 million (worldwide gross)*
Helen Slater's portrayal of Kara Zor-El struggled to find an audience.
*5. Justice League (2017) - $657.9 million (worldwide gross)*
Despite its promising premise, the DCEU's Justice League film received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office.
*4. Superman Returns (2006) - $391.1 million (worldwide gross)*
Bryan Singer's reboot, starring Brandon Routh, failed to meet expectations.
*3. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) - $873.6 million (worldwide gross)*
Zack Snyder's highly anticipated film received mixed reviews and sparked controversy.
*2. Green Lantern Corps (in development)*
After Green Lantern's poor reception, the planned sequel was scrapped.
*1. Batgirl (canceled)*
The planned 2018 film, starring Joss Whedon, was canceled due to creative differences.
*Lessons Learned*
DC's box office flops offer valuable lessons:
1. Faithfulness to source material is crucial.
2. Strong storytelling trumps special effects.
3. Casting and direction matter.
*The Future of DC Films*
Despite past setbacks, the DCEU continues to evolve:
1. Wonder Woman 1984 and Aquaman 2 are highly anticipated.
2. The Batman and Shazam! sequels are in development.
3. HBO Max's streaming platform offers new opportunities.
*Conclusion*
While DC's box office flops serve as cautionary tales, they also pave the way for future successes. By learning from past mistakes, DC can continue to create captivating stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.
*Sources:*
- Box Office Mojo
- IMDB
- Variety
- The Hollywood Reporter
- Entertainment Weekly
*Image Credits:*
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- DC Entertainment
- Marvel Comics (for comparison)
