Part 5/9:
While Blue Beetle performed slightly better domestically than Shazam! Fury of the Gods, its international numbers are exceedingly poor. Many industry analysts predicted that the film would struggle to resonate outside the U.S., particularly due to its cultural context and targeted demographic—primarily Hispanic audiences in border towns. The film’s content appeared highly specific to this group, limiting its broader appeal.
Remarkably, within just 39 days, Blue Beetle was released on digital platforms—an accelerated move that typically indicates a sort of acknowledgment of poor box office prospects. The digital release, which followed the theatrical release by less than six weeks, underscores the studio’s expectation that the film’s theatrical run was unlikely to recoup its costs.