Warner Bros. and DC Comics just pulled off a feat that no other superhero film franchise has been able to do before.
Despite the crazy amount of negative feedback Warner Bros. and DC Comics Films have been bombarded with this year, and the countless critics/websites/haters who have called the DCEU and its individual films each a flop, Warner Bros. and DC Comics have something to celebrate. As Dark Knight News reported earlier this week, Suicide Squad successfully grossed over $300 million domestically (North America) this week. Now while the final gross may pale in comparison to some other superhero movies from competing companies, this solidifies a momentous moment. Along with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice grossing $330 million domestically, Warner Bros. and DC Comics have successfully become the first company to put out two superhero movies in one year to gross over $300 million domestically. Obviously, with all the superhero franchises out there, this sounds questionable. When I read the tweet from producer/composer, Bill Meeks, I didn’t believe it either.
Warner Bros. is the first studio to have two superhero movies make over $300 Million domestically in the same year. Some flops!
— Bill Meeks 🤘🏻 (@billmeeks) September 6, 2016
For those wondering how Marvel matches up, here are some quick facts. Since the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with 2008’s Iron Man, the MCU has only had four years where more than one film was released. In 2008 Iron Man grossed $318.4 million domestically and The Incredible Hulk grossed $134.8 million domestically. In 2011, Thor grossed $181 million domestically, and Captain America: The First Avenger grossed $176.6 million domestically. In 2014, Captain America: The Winter Soldier grossed $259 million domestically, and Guardians of the Galaxy grossed $333.1 million domestically. Finally, in 2015, Avengers: Age of Ultron grossed $459 million domestically, and Ant-Man grossed $180.2 million domestically. Of the MCU’s 13 films, only 7 have grossed over $300 million domestically.
In comparison, two of the three films in the DCEU have grossed over $300 million domestically, with Man of Steel falling short by only $9 million. What this means, at least from a money stand point, is that so far the DCEU films have fared better as a whole in North America than the MCU. The MCU does have a second film releasing this year, Dr. Strange, so we will see if they can rise to the challenge. So far, however, the MCU has failed to reach this milestone in its 8 years and 13 films of existence.
Congratulations certainly goes to Warner Bros. and DC Comics for this achievement.