The box office returns for “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” were less than heroic in its opening weekend, as the superhero movie grossed a disappointing $30.5 million despite playing in over 4,000 theaters. The sequel to 2019’s “Shazam!” was expected to perform well but fell short of expectations, with some analysts pointing to tough competition from other films like “No Time to Die” and “Morbius.” Additionally, the film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the humor and action but others criticizing the lack of depth in the plot and character development.
The film stars Zachary Levi as the titular hero, who gains superpowers and must defend the world against a new villain, played by Helen Mirren. While the first film was a surprise hit, grossing over $364 million worldwide, the sequel’s underwhelming performance may raise concerns for the future of the franchise.
Despite the disappointment, the film’s opening weekend was still the highest-grossing of any film since the pandemic began, with many theaters still operating at reduced capacity. Additionally, the film’s international box office returns were stronger, with a total of $43.8 million earned in 42 markets.
The lackluster performance of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” highlights the ongoing challenges facing the film industry as it attempts to recover from the impact of the pandemic. While theaters are beginning to reopen and audiences are returning, there is still uncertainty about the future of moviegoing, with many consumers opting for at-home streaming options.
While the film may have stumbled out of the gate, it remains to be seen whether it will be able to recover and perform well in the coming weeks. For now, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” has fallen short of its superhero potential, leaving fans and analysts wondering what the future holds for the franchise.