Over on Twitter, Charlie Jane Anders wonders why the perceptions of Batman Begins and Superman Returns are so different even though they performed similarly,
It’s weird to realize Batman Begins and Superman Returns made almost the exact same amount of money, but SR is considered a flop.
Anders appears to conclude the answer is that Superman Returns cost much more than Batman Begins, but that is unlikely. Yes, Superman Returns had higher production costs, but Warner Brothers easily made up the difference in a > $100 million marketing campaign for Batman Begins (what was billed at the time as the largest marketing campaign in movie history). In the end, each film’s total cost was probably roughly comparable, but who knows with nutty Hollywood accounting.
Still the reason Batman Begins was considered such a success is not just that it made hundreds of millions of dollars but how it made those millions. Batman Begins opened strong and stayed strong — in its first five weeks it was the 1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th most popular movie of the week respectively. People flocked to see Batman Begins so it earned $200 million by its 8th week of release.
Contrast that with Superman Returns. In its first five weeks its weekly rankings were 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 12th respectively. Superman Returns didn’t cross the $200 million threshold until week 17.
Both Batman Begins and Superman Returns had extremely expensive marketing campaigns that all but guaranteed each film would be #1 during their respective weeks of release. Batman Begins was a decent movie that had good word of mouth and brought people into theaters. Superman Returns was a giant turd that flopped once people realized the marketing campaign was probably the best thing about the film.
By week 8, for example, Batman Begins was still showing in 1,192 theaters. Superman Returns, in contrast, was being shown in a meager 383 theaters by week 8.
Personally, I didn’t think Batman Begins was a very good movie. But it wasn’t the garbage that Superman Returns was.
I remember seeing Superman Returns in the theatre. With all the media coverage about the rebooting of the franchise I was really excited. Sadly, the movie was just meh. Though there were enjoyable parts — like Kevin Spacy’s portrayal of Lex Luthor. I loved the part where he slinked back towards the wall as his “goons” watched what would happen as they tested out the ‘crystals from Krypton’.
Though, the best part of the whole experience was the reactions of one colorful member of the audience who partook in a conversation with the characters as they appeared on screen — and sometimes just yelling out at the action. Best line ever from this audience member? “He said ‘good night Helen’!” — as Superman flies off into the night rather than lingering for an embrace.
@Michael VanPutten: Bryan Singer’s fundamental mistake was trying to remake the Richard Donner film (though, I have heard there ain’t no party like a Donner party). The whole Superman as super powered savior just ain’t gonna fly.
And maybe I was too harsh on the film. It’s not that it was especially rotten, it just wasn’t no Snakes On A Plane.