Sony’s latest superhero film, “Madame Web,” has received the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score for a major superhero film in nearly a decade. The film, which opened on Valentine’s Day, had a disappointing start at the box office, earning just $26.2 million domestically in its first six days. International box office numbers were also lackluster, totaling $25.7 million from 61 markets. Even the fan-friendly CinemaScore grade was poor, with a C+ rating.
This low performance is a blow to Sony, which has been struggling to find success with its Spider-Man universe movies. The studio’s previous film, “Morbius,” was also a critical failure but managed to earn $170 million worldwide. However, there is no hope for “Madame Web” to achieve similar success. The film’s failure not only impacts this particular movie but also a potential franchise led by star Dakota Johnson, whose character is connected to Peter Parker.
The film introduced a trio of supporting characters who were meant to become a team of Spider-Women under Johnson’s guidance. However, with the film’s failure, this future is no longer possible. Industry insiders believe that it will be at least a decade before another Madame Web movie is made.
This disappointing performance adds to a troubling trend in the superhero genre. Every live-action comic book movie released last year underperformed, regardless of the studio behind it. This has led to the acceptance of “superhero fatigue” as an industry fact. Marvel, DC, and Sony are all attempting to create new franchises at a time when audiences may be growing tired of the genre.
“Madame Web” took a different approach to the superhero formula, aiming for a grounded suspense thriller with low-key charm. The film also targeted women and young girls as its primary audience. However, this strategy did not pay off, as male viewers still made up the majority of the audience.
The current mood at Sony is gloomy, with the studio hoping for a hit with its upcoming Spider-Man Universe title, “Kraven.” The outcome of this film could change the narrative for Sony. However, it is too early to tell what the future holds for superhero movies.
Despite its failure, some reviewers are suggesting that “Madame Web” could find a second life as a camp classic. While this may not provide solace to Sony, there is an argument to be made that it’s better to fail big than to be forgettable.
In conclusion, Sony’s “Madame Web” has received the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score for a major superhero film in nearly a decade. The film’s disappointing box office performance adds to the growing trend of underperforming comic book movies. Sony now faces the challenge of reevaluating its approach to superhero films and finding a way to create successful franchises in a genre that may be experiencing audience fatigue.