DC and Warner Bros’ long-in-the-works superhero movie The Flash opened to US$55 million in its first three days in North American cinemas, according to studio estimates on Sunday

Though a fair amount of money by normal standards, a sizeable jump from DC’s last release, the Shazam! sequel, and enough for a first-place start, it’s also muted by superhero standards where US$100-million debut weekends are almost commonplace.

The weekend also saw Pixar get its worst three-day opening ever with a US$29.5 million bow by Elemental.

It was a crowded weekend at the multiplex overall. But the only big win was Wes Anderson’s starry Asteroid City which earned US$720,000 from just six cinemas and the distinction of having the highest per-theater average (US$132,211) since the start of the pandemic.

The Flash faced more complications than marketplace conditions. It has been in the headlines often over the past year, not because of the movie itself, but because of its star Ezra Miller’s off-screen troubles, including arrests, erratic behaviour and accusations of misconduct. Miller has apologised and is said to be seeking mental health treatment.

Critics were mixed, but more positive than not, with a 67 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. AP’s Jocelyn Noveck wrote in her review that despite some “breezily clever and entertaining” moments, “the final act bogs down in what feels like an endless, generic CGI battle and a kitchen-sink resolution”.

Audiences polled for CinemaScore only gave the film a B, which has not historically been great news for word-of-mouth potential and longevity.