“Venom: The Last Dance” underperformed at the box office, bringing in $51 million during its opening weekend, which is a significant drop compared to previous films in the franchise.
Sony Pictures had projected the third installment would earn around $65 million, but it fell short. The original “Venom,” released in 2018, debuted with $80.2 million, and its sequel, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” opened with $90 million, even amid pandemic-related challenges. While the film could still turn a profit with a production budget of about $120 million, its disappointing domestic performance raises concerns about the superhero genre’s diminishing dominance in theaters.
On a brighter note, “Venom: The Last Dance” found more success internationally, grossing $124 million worldwide, including $46 million from its five-day release in China. Despite the solid international numbers, the film has received poor critical reception, with only 36% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and a franchise-low “B-” CinemaScore.
Industry experts predict that 2024 could mark the lowest-grossing year for superhero films in over a decade, not counting the pandemic year of 2020. Following a lackluster performance by “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the genre’s overall box office appeal seems to be waning, with upcoming releases like Marvel’s “Kraven the Hunter” on December 13 adding to the uncertainty.
Peoplesmind
