In the unpredictable universe of superhero movies, the box office results can sometimes be as surprising as a plot twist in a comic book.

This was the case with the recent performances of DC’s Black Adam and The Flash. Despite featuring lesser-known heroes, Black Adam outperformed The Flash, a film packed with popular superheroes and A-list actors. This unexpected outcome has left fans and critics pondering the factors leading to these surprising results.

The Unexpected Stumble of The Flash

A still from The Flash

With its star-studded cast and popular characters, The Flash was expected to be a box-office sensation. However, after its second weekend, the film’s performance was more of a fizzle than a bang, grossing a disappointing $210.9 million worldwide.

Critics and audiences alike cited a convoluted plot and lackluster character development as potential reasons for the film’s underperformance. Additionally, controversies surrounding the lead actor, Ezra Miller, may have contributed to the film’s lackluster reception.

Also Read: “This sh*t about to make more than The Flash”: Patrick Wilson’s Insidious 5 Earns 7.5X More Than it’s Production Budget

Black Adam – The Underdog’s Triumph with The Rock’s Star Power

A still from Black Adam

On the other hand, Black Adam was a dark horse in the race. The film’s lead character, portrayed by Dwayne The Rock Johnson, was relatively unknown compared to the usual roster of DC superheroes. Yet, it managed to amass a worldwide gross of $391.2 million, defying predictions and outperforming The Flash.

Critics praised the film’s unique take on the anti-hero narrative and Johnson’s charismatic performance. The Rock’s star power was a significant factor in pulling audiences to the theaters, demonstrating that a compelling performance can make even lesser-known characters shine.

Take a look at some of the Tweets from the fans:

Black Adam : Totally new characters. Unknown to General audience
Box office: $395M (without china)

The Flash: A listers like Batmen(3), Wonder Woman, and Supermen, Flash and Supergirl etc
Box office: $260M

The Rock really pulled that film imo pic.twitter.com/A0KDzsPuI0

— Toxic 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘁 (@Itssan17) July 17, 2023

Good movie. Studio does little to support it, then quickly calls it a flop. WB never ceases to amaze…

— Paul J Fowler (@PaulFowler1010) July 17, 2023

Black Adam was poorly executed but I genuinely feel like it has a lot of potential for a sequel. I really enjoyed The Rock as Black Adam.

— sawysauce (@Sawyerjenks) July 17, 2023

Black Adam was way better than The Trash

— ʙᴀʀʀʏ ᴀʟʟᴇɴ (@AllenTh3vflxsh) July 17, 2023

Nothing about the flash trailer made me want to see the movie. DC is a mess.

They should’ve just built the entire universe around Cavill years ago.

— HIM DUNCAN (@Finishurbkfst23) July 18, 2023
Also Read: Dwayne Johnson’s Gargantuan Netflix ‘Red One’ Salary is 2.2X More Than Black Adam Paycheck: “He’s not even worth that much”

A Potential Shift in Strategy for DC Movies

The cast of Black Adam

The contrasting fortunes of Black Adam and The Flash highlight the unpredictable nature of box office success. Star power and popular characters do not guarantee a hit, as evidenced by The Flash. Meanwhile, Black Adam demonstrated that lesser-known characters can draw audiences if the story and performances are compelling.

Also Read: Johnny Depp Turned Down The Flash Star’s Offer to Star in $1.4B Franchise: “Some very famous people told us to f**k right off…”

This could signal a potential shift in strategy for DC, with a greater focus on character development and storytelling over star-studded casts. As the dust settles on these box office battles, one thing is clear – in the world of superhero movies, it’s not just about who has the most power but who uses it best.

Source: Toxic Geralt – Twitter