10 Predictable Superhero Movies That Underperformed at the Box Office

The superhero film industry, encompassing franchises from the MCU to the DCU, has undoubtedly proven to be a financial powerhouse. Yet surprisingly, not every superhero flick achieves box office success. Although Marvel’s cinematic universe consistently breaks records, the genre has its share of financial disappointments, especially during the pre-MCU era.

Historically, the superhero genre posed significant challenges to producers. Several adaptations of lesser-known comic characters have ended up as notable flops, leading to reputations marred by failure. Here, we delve into ten superhero movies whose box office disappointments were anticipated by critics and audiences alike.

10 Jonah Hex (2010)

Box Office: $11 million

In 2010, DC’s attempt to adapt the lesser-known character Jonah Hex resulted in a monumental financial failure. The film grossed a mere $11 million against a $47 million budget, solidifying its status as one of the biggest flops in superhero movie history. The studio’s decision not to pursue international releases following poor domestic performance confirmed its demise before the movie even concluded its theatrical run.

9 Elektra (2005)

Box Office: $57 million

Jennifer Garner’s portrayal of Elektra was marred by the poor reception of her debut in 2003’s Daredevil. Released as a spinoff in 2005, Elektra grossed only $57 million on a $65 million budget. Given the lackluster reception of its predecessor, its financial demise was hardly surprising, as audiences had largely dismissed the character before she even graced the screen solo.

8 Catwoman (2004)

Box Office: $82.4 million

Halle Berry starred in Catwoman, a character with significant popularity, yet the 2004 release turned out to be another missed opportunity. Initial excitement quickly dissipated post-release, laying the groundwork for its box office disappointment.

7 The Marvels (2023)

Box Office: $206.1 million

Released in late 2023, The Marvels became notorious for being the MCU’s least successful film, garnering just $206.1 million against its considerable $374 million budget. Despite the franchise’s previous successes, superhero fatigue had set in, fueled by earlier poorly received entries, leading many analysts to foresee its underperformance.

6 The Flash (2023)

Box Office: $271.4 million

Despite high expectations tied to the character’s popularity, The Flash’s 2023 release flopped, earning only $271.4 million, suggesting a potential loss of around $200 million for Warner Bros. The prolonged production phase and inconsistent messaging about the character’s place in the DCEU left audiences confused and unenthusiastic.

5 Morbius (2022)

Box Office: $167.5 million

Sony’s Morbius, released in 2022, was initially met with skepticism, resulting in a box office take of $167.5 million—far below estimates. As memes circulated around its cheesy dialogue and convoluted plot even before its launch, the film’s failure to resonate with audiences was anticipated widely prior to its release.

4 Joker: Madness A Deux (2024)

Box Office: $206.4 million

Following multiple accolades for its predecessor, Joker: Folie à Deux was anticipated to perform well. However, poor reviews post-premiere at the Venice Film Festival dashed those expectations, making its ultimate box office failure largely predictable. The sequel failed to capture the same intrigue as the original, leaving audiences and investors disappointed.

3 The New Mutants (2020)

Box Office: $49.2 million

2020’s The New Mutants was released amid a tumultuous pandemic, leading it to gross only $49.2 million against an $80 million budget. Compounding its challenges, Disney’s acquisition of Fox caused uncertainty about the future of its characters, diminishing interest in a film that was already dealing with numerous delays and production issues.

2 Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Box Office: $169.6 million

Amid the challenges of COVID-19, Wonder Woman 1984 was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max, leading to an eventual box office take of $169.6 million on a $200 million budget. Despite heroic efforts by Warner Bros. to navigate the complications, this hybrid release proved unable to offset its financial shortfalls, marking it as one of the DCEU’s significant failures.

1 Kraven The Hunter (2024)

Kraven the Hunter: The SSU’s Last Box Office Disappointment

The much-anticipated Kraven the Hunter, released in late 2024, marked the end of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Despite hope, its box office performance was dismal, overshadowed by its designation as a franchise’s conclusion. Coupled with negative critical feedback, its underwhelming debut seemed all but inevitable within the context of the superhero film landscape.

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