Let’s break down and predict some of the winners and the losers in the DC Cinematic Universe vs Marvels Universe battle for the box-office. I have intentionally left out FOX and Sony films in this debate because both of them will be playing catch up and trying to figure out how to stand out between these two Goliath’s over the next few years.
I’m a DC fan at heart, grew up on Detective Comics. Nevertheless, I am a huge fan of Marvel’s universe and the comic book movie industry. Before we break down the winners and losers, I’m going to have to predict that Marvel is going to come out on top. DC is killing it in the comic book TV universe, but Marvel’s approach to just make solid, entertaining movies is what is going to keep them dominating the box office year after year. DC can learn from Kevin Feige’s comments during his Phase 3 announcement that:
We will do what we’ve always done, which is hire what we believe to be the best people to write the films, and to direct the films.
But lets see who are the big winners and losers at the box office over the next 5 years.
2015
May 1, 2015: Avengers: Age of Ultron
July 17, 2015: Ant-man
Winner: Avengers: Age of Ultron
No surprises here. Age of Ultron will dominate the global box office.
Opening weekend: 251 million
Loser: Ant-man
It is going to be surprisingly great, however I don’t see breaking any box office records or winning over the critics.
Opening weekend: 52 million.
2016 Movies
March 25, 2016 - Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Out of all of DC’s upcoming releases, this is their make or break movie for the DCCU. The Avengers was the movie that blew up the Marvel franchise that Iron man helped lay the foundation for. Audiences are going to come out to see the Clark and Bruce showdown with the rest of the Justice League starting to be built out on the sidelines.
May 6, 2016 - Captain America: Civil War
I’m excited about Civil war, it is one of my all-time favorite Marvel storylines. However I am surprise that Marvel went with the name Civil War. With Captain America and WWII engrained into the general audience’s psyche, the name Civil War may be taken literal as the American civil war. It’s a scretch, but once the trailers drop and the see RDJ and Chris Evan’s duke it out, all will be forgot.
Winner: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
This will not be the biggest movie WB/DC has released and it will not top the Avengers because I don’t think the story will be there. I’m really happy that Chris Terrio took over the writing duties. However I don’t have the confidence to day that Zach Synder is going to be able to stray away from his beautiful visual stories and be able to focus an amazing original and unique story. But the fans will turn out to make this movie a success. It’s Batman and Superman.
Opening weekend: 210 million
Loser: Captain America: Civil War
Civil war will be a solid weekend, but the audiences cash is going to be dropped on Batman v Superman. On opening weekend BvS is still going to be second.
Opening weekend: 150 million
Note: If Spidey makes an appearance, then everything changes. Civil War is going to destroy Batman v Superman.
August 5, 2016 - Suicide Squad
This is a huge gamble on DCs part. For their 2nd film in their new DC universe. (Yes, i’m ignoring their freshman Man of Steel attempt and seeing the BvS as the start of the true DC cinematic universe) With a team of Anti-heros villains that are completely unknown to the public will not get them to purchase tickets. Yes, Will Smith and Jared Leto will sell tickets but it seems like DC is banking too much on the celebrity to fill those seats. I have high hopes for this movie, and I’m excited to see where David Ayer takes it. He is a great director when it comes to action. Fury was a solid movie and he was able to bring out amazing performances from the entire cast. But without a solid writer and story I don’t see this movie being a huge success. With the current story leaks, I’m not sold on the concept. But there’s still time.
November 4, 2016 - Doctor Strange
GOTG has been called the new Iron Man but I’m going to say that it’s going to be Doctor Strange. Doctor strange is going to be the core of Phase 3 and with Benedict Cumberbatch at the helm , it’s going to open up the Marvel universe to a whole new dimensions leading into the ultimate showdown in Avengers: Infinity Wars.
Winner: Doctor Strange
Opening weekend: 85 million. Not a huge opening weekend. But comparable to the successes of Thor.
Loser: Suicide Squad
Opening weekend: 45 million. This movie is going to take a huge loss. It’s budget is going to be spent on celebrity and will lack any heart or story.
2016 Winner - Marvel
2017 – Huge Year of Superhero Movies.
May 5, 2017 - Guardians of the Galaxy 2
We all know this movie is going to be amazing. Enough said.
June 23, 2017 - Wonder Woman
With Wonder Woman setting up to be DCCUs version of Captain america. There is a great deal of potential on a period piece to set up the Justice league. Acting as a prequel to both BvS and the Justice League. It has some tough competition, but audiences will be excited for their first DCCUs female lead film.
July 28, 2017 - Thor: Ragnarok
Will this be the last time we see Thor until Avengers: I.W. Part?
Summer Winner: Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Opening Weekend: 217 million. It will eclipse every other movie until the fall
Loser: Thor: Ragnarok
Opening weekend: 68 million, the movie will open bigger than the first film in the franchise but will not generate the buzz for movie goers to spend any more time with the God of Thunder.
Wonder Woman Will do well. Even with the recent box office success of Lucy and a female lead sci-fi/action films it’s going to struggle to compete.
Opening weekend: 78 million. This is not going to be a huge blockbuster movie when you don’t have the known leading lady to draw audiences in.
November 3, 2017 - Black Panther
Just like GOTG, Black Panther is going to surprise audiences and bring in new demographic to comic book movies.
November 23, 2017 - Justice League Part 1
This should be huge, the formula is in place from Joss Whedon’s Avengers success. Can DC pull this off? Can Zack Snyder be able to make this the biggest WB/DC movie ever? Maybe.
Winner: Justice League Part 1 - It’s what every DC and comic book fan has been waiting for. It’s going to be huge, even if critics hate it.
Opening weekend: 230 million
Loser: Black Panther
It’s not really a loser, but when up against Justice League, it’s going to be tough battle. Nevertheless this film will be a huge success for Marvel.
Opening weekend: 158 million
2017 Winner - Marvel
Even with the success of Justice league, Marvel is going to dominate the box office with Guardians and the it’s new comer, Black Panther. Marvel is going to be make close to 400 million on opening weekends alone.
2018: 6 movies… But not going to be as big as 2017.
March 23, 2018 - The Flash
Love the flash, but honestly I am not at all excited about the Flash DCCUs film. But it’s still too early to speculate.
May 4, 2018 - Avengers: Infinity War Part 1
Not much to say here other than this is going to be huge. with the new Avengers assembling for the first time.
Spring Winner: Avengers Infinity War: Part I
Opening weekend: 280 million.
Loser: The Flash
Another 2012 Green Lantern level of success for DC. Unless they take the character in a totally new direction this is going to be a huge loss.
Opening weekend: 38 million
July 6, 2018 - Captain Marvel
This is the riskiest movie franchise Marvel has ever attempted. But It’s going to be a risk that will pay off as long as DC’s Woman Woman does well and they learn from any of DC’ successes/failures.
Jason Momoa, is a good actor, but he’s still not a strong enough to lead a franchise. If Aquaman becomes DCs Avatar and creates a whole new visual esthetic, with ground breaking technology this film can be successful. An underwater world is not something that has been explored in detail. A space style opera set on our planet, in our oceans. There’s some story threads from The Throne of Atlantis that could work really well for this film and franchise. The success of this is on the script the lead villain.
November 2, 2018 - Inhumans
It’s nice to see Marvel going away from solo movies and building upon the group dynamics and success shown in Avengers and GOTG franchises. With a small viewership tuning into Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. it’s going to be a tough sell. With the right director and leads, it could surprise us.
Summer-Fall Winner: Aquaman
Curiosity and cultural diversity is going to be what allows Aquaman to come out on top. It’s going to be Jason Momoa’s biggest opening weekend ever.
Opening Weekend: 76 million
Loser: Inhumans - It’s going to be a close race between Aquaman and Inhumans, but the unfamiliarity of the comics with the general audience and the close similarity to X-men. Fans are not going to flock to the theaters for this new franchise.
Opening Weekend: 70 million.
2019: 3 movies… But it’s all about Thanos vs Darkseid.
April 5, 2019 – Shazam
Shazam? I’m still questioning the decision on this franchise. Shazam is just Superman with the mind of a child. Mark Millers Superior is a much more enjoyable take on the character. Dwayne Johnson will bring in the crowds but without a strong Billy Baton child and adult actor this movie will be set up to fail. If DC has a chance ad making a comeback and having a strong film to lead into the Justice League they need to use this slot for “The Batman” or “Man of Steel 2”. and releasing Shazam closer to the holidays - making it more of a family film.
May 3, 2019 - Avengers: Infinity War Part 2
I’m hoping to see the original avengers back for this finale. New Avengers + Avengers. And I’m sure we’ll get Spider-man in here if we haven’t seen him already.
June 14, 2019 - Justice League Part 2
I hope there’s a amazing tease or lead in to this film at the end of part 1 and throughout the rest of the DC universe. Darkseid is needed and I’m excited to see where DC takes this. Setting up Brainiac for the next Chapter in the DCCU.
Winner: Avengers Infinity Wars: Part II
Thanos is going to win, and win big. With the possibility that Marvel will bring all of the phases together for this epic showdown. This film will break some box-office records.
Opening Weekend: 305 million
Loser: Shazam
Opening Weekend: 35 million.
2020 Releases
2020: Phase 4?… Still too early to predict the 2020 films with Marvels Phase 4 releases.
April 3, 2020 – Cyborg
I was more surprised about the Cyborg stand alone film announcement than I was with Shazam. But can create an audience if the Justice League movies prove to be successful.
June 19, 2020 - Green Lantern
Good luck with this DC. I hope they do something new with this character. Do something that the core GL fans will hate, but will eventually fall in love with. This can be DC’s version of Avatar in space, building upon tech created for Aquaman. Please don’t introduce all the rings, and colors. Keep it closer. GL Corps vs. Sinestro Corps.
Winner: Marvel. With a phase 4 announcement expected the summer of 2018, Marvel is going to step up and take down these two small DC franchises.
Overall winner in the Comic Book Movie Franchise:
Not overly surprising. With their current success and momentum DCCU has a lot to prove. So what are your predictions and thoughts on mine?