Entertainment
The Marvels Plunges at the Box Office: Worst MCU Debut Ever
Falling Faster Than Superheroes
Superhero movies are known for their massive box office returns in their opening weekends, but their second weekends often see a significant decline. This trend is expected due to the front-loading of enthusiastic fans. However, some movies manage to hold up well in their second week. For example, "Spider-Man: No Way Home" fell 68 percent in its second week and still had a successful box office run. But unfortunately, "The Marvels" didn't fare as well.
The Marvels Underwhelms in Its Opening Frame
"The Marvels" opened to a disappointing $46.1 million, which is only a third of what the original film earned in its opening weekend. This makes it the worst debut for a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film. The film's underperformance didn't stop there.
A Steep Decline in Its Second Week
According to the far-Left Deadline, "The Marvels" is estimated to plummet 73 percent from its already disappointing opening. This means that the film's domestic total currently stands at $67 million. Keep in mind that the film's budget is anywhere from $220-275 million. And these figures don't even include the massive marketing costs associated with a film of this scale.
An Even More Cataclysmic Fall?
Exhibitor Relations suggests that the decline for "The Marvels" could be even more drastic. The film is on track to drop 75-80 percent in its second weekend, with a projected box office income of just $10 million. If this prediction holds true, it would be a devastating blow for the film.
A Director's Controversial Comments
Adding fuel to the fire, "The Marvels" director Nia DiCosta recently made comments criticizing critics of the MCU's so-called "woke makeover." She stated that there are pockets of fandom that are "virulent, violent, racist, sexist, and homophobic," and she aligns herself with the side of light. It's unclear if these comments had any impact on the film's performance, but it's worth noting that negative media narratives surrounding the film have been prevalent.
The Media Narrative and Accusations of Racism and Sexism
The media coverage surrounding "The Marvels" has been overwhelmingly negative, with some press outlets rushing to its defense. The far-Left HuffPo claims that the response to the film, which features two women of color in key roles, was racist and sexist. However, this defense ignores the success of other black-led films in theaters and fails to acknowledge that the biggest hit of 2023, "Barbie," has feminism woven into its storyline.
Another Box Office Disappointment: "Next Goal Wins"
Director Taika Waititi's latest film, "Next Goal Wins," also failed to make an impact at the box office. The film opened with a dismal $2.2 million from 2,240 theaters, despite BoxOfficePro.com predicting a $4.2 million debut. This comes after the negative reviews for Waititi's previous film, "Thor: Love and Thunder."
Dimming Brand and Possible Alienation
Waititi's once-golden brand may be losing its shine following the underperformance of "Next Goal Wins." The film's poor Rotten Tomatoes score and the fact that soccer is less popular in the United States may have contributed to its lackluster reception. Additionally, the film features a prominent nonbinary performer, Kaimana, which could have alienated some viewers. Despite these shortcomings, Kaimana's performance is praised as the standout aspect of the film.
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