The Flash vs. Elemental: Who Will Win the Box Office Race?
Henrietta Jackson
This weekend, two of the biggest names in Hollywood are going head-to-head: DC's The Flash and Pixar's Elemental. Both movies have been eagerly anticipated by fans and critics alike, but which one will win the hearts and wallets of moviegoers?
The Flash: A Multiverse Adventure
The Flash, starring Ezra Miller as the speedy superhero, has been generating a lot of buzz for its multiverse storyline, which features Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck reprising their roles as Batman from different timelines. The movie also introduces Sasha Calle as Supergirl and Michael Shannon as General Zod, adding more star power to the DC universe.
The movie started off strong with $9.7 million in Thursday previews, which is close to what Sony's Venom made in 2018 ($10 million) before opening to $80.3 million. Industry estimates show that The Flash is heading for a four-day opening of over $72 million, which would be a huge boost for Warner Bros. and DC after the disappointing performances of Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Black Adam.
Elemental: A New Original Story from Pixar
Elemental, on the other hand, is a new original story from Pixar, set in Element City, where fire, water, land and air residents live together. Directed by Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur), the film follows a young fire girl named Ember who dreams of becoming a firefighter, despite her family's disapproval.
The film earned $2.4 million in Thursday previews, which is lower than most Pixar movies, even those that were released during the pandemic. The film is tracking for a four-day opening of around $36 million, which would be one of the lowest debuts ever for Pixar. The studio has been struggling to regain its box office mojo after sending most of its movies straight to Disney+ during the worst of the pandemic, and seeing Lightyear flop last summer with only $226.4 million worldwide.
Who Will Come Out on Top?
So, it seems like The Flash has a clear advantage over Elemental in this box office race, but anything can happen over the weekend. Both movies have received mixed reviews from critics, with The Flash holding a 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes and Elemental holding a 69% score. Audiences may have different opinions, and word-of-mouth could make or break either film.
Will The Flash zoom past Elemental, or will Elemental surprise everyone with its charm and humor? We'll find out soon enough, but one thing is certain: this weekend is a big test for both DC and Pixar, as they try to prove their relevance and appeal in a post-pandemic world.
