Blue Beetle is one of the final films of the DCEU run, and it’s looking like that intended reboot is needed now more than ever. The film started its run with one of the weakest openers, earning just $25 million on its opening weekend – second place for worst DCEU openings.
Running for about two months at the global box office, the film has ended its theatrical time with a total worldwide gross of $128.6 million against a budget of $104 million. $71.2 million came from the domestic box office (the United States and Canada), while $56.8 million came from international markets.
With its favorable reviews and warm reception from the Latino community, it felt like Blue Beetle could’ve broken the seeming curse that the DC Extended Universe had theatrically. But besides the general public moving away from superhero entertainment and DC fans battered by mediocre films, the film also saw outside forces keeping it from finding its groove.
SEE ALSO: Read our written Blue Beetle review here
Featuring one of the lesser-known DC characters doesn’t help, as well as not banking on a more mainstream star to help pull in fans, but what seemingly did the film in, like most blockbusters this summer, was the strikes involving WGA and SAG-AFTRA. Without proper marketing, the Blue Beetle struggled to hit the ground running and campaign for fans to see it. Putting Xolo Maridueña on every talk show and magazine cover could’ve really boosted the film, but Warner Bros. also put all its time behind its other summer blockbuster, Barbie.
James Gunn and Peter Safran’s upcoming DCU will look to reset the universe and offer fans a new version of DC than they’ve seen before. However, Xolo Maridueña is confirmed to be sticking around for this rebooted universe so he could get another shot at superhero fame.
The DCEU has one final film to go: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Is it possible that the film will find another billion dollars, or will it suffer the same fate as this year’s Shazam: Fury of the Gods, The Flash and Blue Beetle? Let us know your thoughts and Aquaman 2 box office predictions over on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero BLUE BEETLE.
Blue Beetle stars Xolo Maridueña (Cobra Kai), Adriana Barraza (Rambo: Last Blood), Damían Alcázar (Narcos: Mexico), Elpidia Carrillo (Mayans M.C.), Bruna Marquezine (God Save the King), Raoul Max Trujillo (Sicario), Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking), George Lopez (Rio), Belissa Escobedo (Hocus Pocus 2) and Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows).
Blue Beetle is now streaming on Max.
Originally published October 16, 2023. Updated October 17, 2023.
