The Flash has set an unwanted record for DC at the box office, suffering the biggest-ever second-weekend drop for a DC film.

The movie, which opened in cinemas on June 16, is the bridge between the former DC Extended Universe and James Gunn's DC Universe, following the titular speedster Barry Allen (Ezra Miller).

He accidentally finds himself in an alternate reality after going back in time to prevent his mother's murder – but DC fans have been left far from convinced.

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Related: The Flash 2 potential release date, cast and everything you need to know

In box office sales alone, the film – once touted as "one of the greatest superhero movies of all time" – raked in a lukewarm opening weekend of $55 million (£43 million), the third-worst for the entire franchise.

According to Variety, The Flash box office is suffering even more than expected in its second weekend.

Although it was projected for a drop of around 60 per cent, it is currently on track to drop over 70 per cent by the end of Sunday – even lower than Shazam! Fury of the Gods' recent startling drop of 68 per cent.

Instead of battling for first place, the movie is competing for the No 3 slot against the Jennifer Lawrence comedy No Hard Feelings, falling behind both Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Pixar's Elemental.

Related: The Flash ending has a surprise Batman cameo hidden up its sleeve

The Flash's box office failure comes during a dark time for the DC Universe's commercial prospects in general.

This began with 2022's Black Adam, which only grossed $393 million (£309 million) worldwide against an estimated $600 million (£472 million) break-even point.

Black Adam was followed by this March's Shazam! sequel, which didn't do well, grossing $133.8 million (£105 million) and putting Zachary Levi's franchise future in question.

The Flash is in cinemas now.

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