SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS Proves Immoral Movies Bomb at Box Office
By Movieguide® Contributor
DC’s latest superhero movie SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS bombed at the box office opening weekend, revealing that movies with unbiblical worldviews underperform compared to those that emphasize positive, moral worldviews.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that the movie “opened to a dismal $30.5 million domestically from 4,071 theaters”—$23.5 million behind the $53.5 million domestic opening of the first SHAZAM! in 2019.
Why did this most recent installment perform so badly?
As Movieguide®’s review for SHAZAM! reveals, the 2019 movie had a “very strong moral, biblical worldview [that] stresses family, loving parenting, a positive portrayal of foster parents and selflessness, gratitude, and courage.”
The movie also portrays a family praying, references Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas and relays a message of resisting temptation and sin.
SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS strayed from these positive elements, instead emphasizing a “Mixed pagan worldview that accepts the false, polytheistic Greek mythological notion of gods and…other supernatural powers that are a bit occult.”
While there are some redeeming qualities such as “celebrating family and saving and protecting people,” the movie is marred by its pagan worldview and acceptance of homosexuality.
As Movieguide® frequently reports, movies that emphasize positive, moral content perform better at the box office compared to movies that reject these themes. SHAZAM!’s success compared to the beating SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS took at the box office exemplifies this principle.
Movieguide® previously reported on how positive, family-friendly content affects box office success:
While 2022 saw a substantial increase in box office revenue from the roller coaster year of 2020, exhibitors are still working out how to get audiences back to their theaters…
Disney’s STRANGE WORLD bombed at the box office and LIGHTYEAR also faltered, becoming one of Pixar’s weakest releases to date, despite its popular IP. Both are expected to cost the company over $100M in losses according to Variety…
In contrast, studios that were thought to be on their way out as major players, skyrocketed in 2022.
Paramount’s TOP GUN: MAVERICK carried the studio back into contention as one of the top studios. Paramount supplemented their massive success of TOP GUN with stable family-friendly outings such as SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2…
Whether studios want to release hundreds of films or ten, the biggest contributing factor for audiences is content.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
