
Shazam! Fury of the Gods Could Still Thrive on Streaming – Here’s Why
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is the sequel to the 2019 hit Shazam!, which follows the adventures of Billy Batson, a teenager who can transform into a superhero by saying the word "Shazam." The sequel features Billy and his foster siblings facing off against the Daughters of Atlas, a trio of ancient goddesses who want to destroy the world. The movie has disappointed fans and critics alike with its poor performance at the box office, earning only $30 million on its opening weekend. This is the lowest opening for any DC movie that was released exclusively in theaters.
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Shazam 2's poor performance may have been caused by several factors, such as weak marketing, mixed reviews, excessive humor, a weak story, and a missing heart. But we also have to consider the fact that the post-pandemic world has changed with the rise of many streaming platforms. So this Shazam 2 might still find success on streaming services, especially on HBO Max, where it is expected to debut in April or May 2023.
Box Office Expectations Must Adjust to the Post-Pandemic World

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the film industry, especially in terms of cinema attendance. Superhero movies, which used to be the biggest box office hits, have suffered from the pandemic's effects. They are not as profitable as they used to be before the pandemic. Very few films made $1 billion at the global box office, with the top three films of 2022 being Avatar: The Way of the Water, Top Gun: Maverick, and Jurassic Park Dominion. The closure of theaters, social distancing rules, and public health concerns have caused people to avoid crowded spaces. Even after restrictions were lifted, many people are still wary of going to the cinema. Therefore, many studios have changed their release plans to offer streaming options for their films. Streaming platforms offer more convenience and flexibility for viewers, who can watch movies at their own pace and time.
Making Shazam! Fury of the Gods available on streaming platforms might boost its performance, as has been the case for some superhero movies. It will be able to attract more viewers who did not watch Shazam 2 in theaters, either because they were not interested or aware of it or because they were waiting for reviews and word-of-mouth. Streaming platforms may also appeal to fans of the first Shazam! movie, who may want to revisit it before watching the sequel. These platforms may also offer more opportunities for Shazam 2 to generate buzz among fans and critics.
Inflation Affects Consumer Spending for Shazam 2 and More

Along with the pandemic, inflation has risen significantly, which has reduced the spending power of many people. Therefore, going to the cinema can seem like a wasteful expense. The average ticket price for a movie is $14, and that's just for regular viewing. It can be more expensive for special formats like IMAX or 3D. Plus, cinema food and drinks can also cost a lot. Streaming platforms, on the other hand, offer a cheaper and more convenient alternative for viewers. With the subscription-based model, viewers can watch unlimited movies and TV shows for a fixed monthly fee. Moving to streaming will definitely offer more exposure and visibility for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, as it can be featured on the home page or on recommended lists of the platform. This way, it can reach more potential viewers who may enjoy its fun and lighthearted tone.
Streaming Platforms Are Changing the Superhero Movie Landscape

Due to the pandemic-induced closure of theaters and people's avoidance of crowded spaces, certain superhero movies have enjoyed greater success on streaming platforms than in cinemas. One such example is the movie Birds of Prey, which was released in February 2020. Despite positive reviews from critics, Birds of Prey underperformed at the box office, grossing only $201 million worldwide against a budget of $84.5 million. However, once the movie became available on streaming platforms, it found a sizable audience and even received critical acclaim for its portrayal of its female characters.
Another example is Wonder Woman 1984, which was released in December 2020. While the movie initially premiered in theaters, it was also released on the streaming platform HBO Max at the same time. Despite mixed reviews from critics, Wonder Woman 1984 performed well on the streaming platform, with HBO Max reporting record numbers of new subscribers on the day of its release. So, airing Shazam! Fury of the Gods on such platforms will definitely have a positive impact on its performance.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods has strong potential to succeed on streaming platforms for several reasons. Firstly, the superhero genre remains popular among audiences, and the first film was well-received. Secondly, the pandemic has made streaming more attractive to viewers due to its availability and accessibility, potentially leading to more people choosing to stream the sequel. Overall, the success of superhero movies on streaming platforms shows that studios need to adapt their release strategies to meet the changing needs of audiences. By releasing movies on streaming platforms alongside theatrical releases, studios can reach a wider audience and potentially recoup losses from underperforming box office releases.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is now available in theaters and will soon be streaming on HBO Max.