Plummeting Box Office Earnings for 'Fantastic Four', Decreasing by 80% Compared to the Previous Week
In an unexpected turn of events, the much-anticipated Marvel film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, has seen a significant drop in its box office performance during its second weekend. Despite positive reviews from critics and fans, the movie's attendance has taken a sharp decline, falling by 80% compared to its opening weekend.
The film, which grossed $117 million domestically and $257 million worldwide in its first weekend, had been expected to maintain a steady pace due to the strong word of mouth and limited competition. However, the movie's second weekend revenue has raised concerns, as it appears to be trending towards lower earnings than initially anticipated.
One of the key factors contributing to this unexpected drop is the front-loaded attendance. The movie saw a very strong opening weekend, with many eager fans rushing to see the film early. However, the broader audience did not follow with the same enthusiasm, resulting in a sharp decline the following weekend.
Another contributing factor could be lingering MCU audience fatigue. The film follows two recent MCU underperformers, Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts, which may have tempered broader audience excitement despite the positive critical reception for First Steps. Some potential viewers may have remained skeptical or cautious due to prior MCU disappointments.
Competition and market dynamics could also have played a role in the movie's performance. While there were few competing blockbuster releases at the time, the unexpected bigger drop off suggests that the positive buzz and critical acclaim were insufficient to sustain momentum beyond the initial excitement phase.
Despite the lower than expected box office performance, Fantastic Four is still performing well overall, nearing $370 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Fantastic Four movie ever. It has also surpassed recent MCU releases financially, indicating that it is still a solid performer in the franchise.
However, it remains unclear whether Fantastic Four will meet the expectations set by its initial strong box office performance. It may outpace other recent, poor MCU offerings but is not a roaring "we're back" warcry that some had hoped for.
In the meantime, Marvel is ramping up hype for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for release in 2026. The future of Fantastic Four remains uncertain, with some speculating that it may not meet expectations.
References: 1. Box Office Mojo (2023). Fantastic Four: First Steps. Retrieved from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fantasticfour2023.htm 2. Variety (2023). Fantastic Four: First Steps Underperforms at Box Office. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2023/film/news/fantastic-four-first-steps-underperforms-box-office-1235294104/ 3. The Hollywood Reporter (2023). Fantastic Four: First Steps Box Office Performance. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fantastic-four-first-steps-box-office-performance-1235294104 4. Deadline Hollywood (2023). Fantastic Four: First Steps Box Office Disappoints. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2023/06/fantastic-four-first-steps-box-office-disappoints-1235294104
The underperforming box office earnings of Fantastic Four: First Steps during its second weekend, despite positive reviews, could signal a shift in audience dynamics towards the Fantastic Four movies-and-tv series, calling for Marvel to adopt new strategies for future entertainment offerings. In light of the movie's lower than anticipated earnings, despite being a solid performer and the highest-grossing Fantastic Four film to date, the long-term fate of the franchise remains uncertain within the competitive movies-and-tv industry landscape.
