The latest DC Comics movie, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, is expected to tank at the box office.

The film has to gross $312.5 million internationally to cover its $125 million production costs. With a worldwide total of only $119.4 million and a domestic total of $53.4 million, the picture has flopped badly.

Jesus Revolution, a Christian film with a far smaller production budget of only $15 million, has already made a profit of $51 million. This highlights how much of a letdown Shazam! Fury of the Gods actually is.

The worst part, though, is the film’s advertising. Many viewers of Shazam! Fury of the Gods were confused by the film’s treatment of homosexuality, despite the fact that it was marketed as a family-friendly superhero movie.

DC Comics has a hard enough time winning over audiences as it is without adding “mature alternative lifestyles” to a film aimed at children.

John Wick: Chapter 4 shows that it is feasible to avoid preaching to the choir and instead appeal to a wide variety of viewers.

John Wick 4, which features a diverse cast and plot and grossed over $244 million worldwide in just two weekends, has broken box office records in the United States. There is now talk about John Wick 5 being back on the table.

While the home video market could help make up for some of the box office losses, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is still a major setback for the franchise. It is especially disappointing, given that the original Shazam! made $368 million worldwide and $140.5 million in the United States in 2019.

DC Comics has to avoid trying to add contentious ideas that may alienate fans and instead focus on crafting universally appealing movies. These movies should be ones that offer sheer enjoyment for the whole family.