Blue Beetle, initially intended as a streaming exclusive for HBO Max (now “Max”), has transitioned to a theatrical release, sparking debates on how to gauge its success. Despite impressive reviews and a high Rotten Tomatoes score for a superhero film in 2023, the movie’s opening weekend struggled to draw large audiences.
Originally greenlit as an HBO Max streaming movie, Blue Beetle’s trajectory shifted due to Discovery’s takeover of Warner Bros., refocusing on cinema. This change led to the cancellation of another DC streaming film, Batgirl, which was deemed inadequate for theaters. Meanwhile, Blue Beetle persevered with plans for a theatrical release.
Blue Beetle’s initial weekend at the box office yielded a modest $25.4 million, lower than most live-action DC movies except for Wonder Woman 1984 during the pandemic. Comparatively, the last DC film to open similarly low was Jonah Hex in 2010. Considering Batgirl’s perceived lack of profitability, assessing Blue Beetle’s financial triumph is challenging. It could be viewed as a success for Warner Bros. if the decision to move it to theaters aimed to recover more than it would have on streaming.
However, the opacity surrounding streaming data, a central concern in the WGA and SAG-AFTRA labor disputes, complicates the evaluation of streaming releases’ value. Traditional TV and box office metrics provide more accessible revenue insights, while streaming data remains concealed. Consequently, determining whether Blue Beetle’s $25.4 million theatrical opening surpassed what it would have generated on streaming remains uncertain.
Regardless of these considerations, the performance of Blue Beetle indicates the uphill climb faced by DC in reclaiming its cinematic prominence. James Gunn and Peter Safran’s upcoming project, Superman: Legacy in 2025, will likely play a pivotal role in revitalizing the DC brand’s box office allure. In the evolving landscape of film distribution, assessing success goes beyond box office numbers, considering the intricate dynamics between streaming and theatrical platforms.