Dwayne Johnson's DC Failure Rises on Netflix's Top Ranks

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson once promised a shake-up in the DC universe, but while that never materialized, his latest movie has certainly made waves in the Netflix top 10 chart. The DCEU has had its share of challenges, with the launchpad shifting from Green Lantern to Man of Steel, and subsequent releases failing to match the consistent success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite some fans loving it, the divisiveness of Man of Steel initially set a tough tone for the series.

In November of last year, it was officially announced that James Gunn and Peter Safran would be overseeing DC and its film projects for the long term, with plans for a complete reboot of the Superman Legacy franchise in 2025. This announcement came at a pivotal moment, as it also included the return (and subsequent disappearance) of Henry Cavill's iconic hero in a film that indicated significant transformations for the DC universe.

Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam climbs Netflix top 10 chart

Black Adam, starring The Rock as the titular antihero, has reached number seven on Netflix’s top 10 movies in the US. Check out the full chart below:

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Family Switch

Leo

Suicide Squad

Hunter Killer

Lucy

Black Adam

The Silencing

Christmas As Usual

I Can Only Imagine

Jaume Collet-Serra, director of Jungle Cruise, brings to life the origin story of Black Adam, a former slave in Kahndaq who is granted extraordinary powers by the Council of Wizards. When awakened by modern-day archeologists, he sets out to enact his form of brutal justice on the world, clashing with the Justice Society of America and the leader of a crime syndicate.

The movie initially grossed $393 million, a commercial success according to Johnson, but commentary suggests it fell short of breaking even against its budget of over $200 million. Variety estimated it would have needed to make $600 million to become profitable.

Critics also had little praise for the film, with our review deeming it a "missed opportunity to breathe new life into the DCEU," resulting in a dismal 38% on Rotten Tomatoes.

This comes after the 2016 film Suicide Squad also made it into the top five on the chart, despite its initial critical and commercial reception. "I find it crazy that out of all the DC movies that Netflix acquired, Suicide Squad and Black Adam are the ones that are rising to the top. Not even The Batman," another user remarked.

You can check out our other DC coverage here.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Dwayne Johnson and the DC universe, I am thrilled to see Black Adam soaring up the ranks on Netflix. It's a testament to Johnson's charisma and star power that the movie has resonated with audiences despite mixed reviews from critics. While it may not have revolutionized the DC universe as Johnson intended, it's clear that Black Adam has struck a chord with fans who appreciate its action-packed sequences and Johnson's portrayal of the titular antihero.

However, I can't help but feel a sense of disappointment that Johnson's grand vision for the DC universe never fully materialized. The DCEU has been plagued by inconsistency and a lack of a cohesive narrative, which has made it difficult for it to compete with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The recent announcement of a complete reboot of the Superman Legacy franchise is a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen whether DC can finally find its footing and deliver the kind of cinematic experience that fans have been craving.