Nine DCEU Films with the Most Polarizing Reception from Critics and Audiences

Diverging opinions between critics and audiences are not uncommon in the superhero genre, and the DCEU has witnessed significant disparities in reception for some of its movies. Over the course of a decade, from the debut of ‘Man of Steel’ to ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ the DCEU experienced both highs and lows, with notable differences in how critics and audiences perceived each film.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, a consistent pattern emerges across the divisive DCEU movies – in each case, audiences rated the films higher than critics. This stands in contrast to some MCU movies, where critics sometimes rate higher than audiences. The reasons behind these disparities vary, but a closer look at the critiques sheds light on where the distinctions lie.

1. Man of Steel: Boring Yet Original
   • Critics Score: 56% | Audience Score: 75%
   • Six years after Iron Man, ‘Man of Steel’ faced criticism for its perceived staleness and lack of substance, with audiences praising its darker tone and Henry Cavill’s performance.
2. The Flash: CGI-Heavy Yet Entertaining
   • Critics Score: 63% | Audience Score: 83%
   • Despite criticism for being messy, ‘The Flash’ earned praise for its entertaining approach to DC lore and cameos, resonating well with audiences.
3. Zack Snyder’s Justice League: Fans’ Vision Fulfilled
   • Critics Score: 72% | Audience Score: 93%
   • A marked difference of 21 points underscores that ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ satisfied fans’ expectations, particularly praising the more fleshed-out Cyborg.
4. Justice League: Hype Unmet
   • Critics Score: 39% | Audience Score: 67%
   • Despite a significant push for a second chance, ‘Justice League’ faced criticism for tonal inconsistency, yet audiences valued its historic live-action union of iconic heroes.
5. Suicide Squad: Messy Yet Star-Studded
   • Critics Score: 26% | Audience Score: 58%
   • As the lowest-rated DCEU film, ‘Suicide Squad’ drew criticism for its messy plot, but audiences appreciated the stellar soundtrack and standout performances.
6. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Improved Post-Theatrical Release
   • Critics Score: 29% | Audience Score: 63%
   • While critics highlighted wasted potential, audiences valued the spectacle and appreciated the post-theatrical ‘Ultimate Edition,’ leading to a 34% difference.
7. Shazam! Fury of the Gods: Family-Friendly Romp
   • Critics Score: 49% | Audience Score: 86%
   • The sequel fell short for critics in comparison to the original, but audiences enjoyed it as a harmless, fun addition to the DCEU.
8. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: Audiences Outweigh Critics
   • Critics Score: 35% | Audience Score: 81%
   • Despite critical disapproval for lack of creativity and CGI-heavy visuals, audiences propelled ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ to over $1 billion, indicating a vast difference of 46%.
9. Black Adam: Dwayne Johnson Shines
   • Critics Score: 38% | Audience Score: 88%
   • Dwayne Johnson’s performance and the promise of a ‘new direction’ resonated well with audiences, despite criticism for CGI and a muddled plot.

In summary, the DCEU’s journey reflects the varied tastes of critics and audiences, with audience enjoyment often outweighing critical assessments, contributing to a dynamic landscape of opinions within the superhero genre.

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Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, Thor Odinson, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner