Birds Of Prey Fans React To Warner Bros. Changing The Movie’s Title

Despite a slew of positive reviews, Birds of Prey is floundering at the box office. The film had the worst opening for the DCEU yet, breaking the winning streak that Warner Bros. have been on ever since their post-Justice League course correction. It scored just $33 million on its opening weekend, meaning that right now, it's one of the lowest-grossing comic book movies ever (and is the worst since Jonah Hex).

David James

Published: Feb 11, 2020 09:00 am

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Despite a slew of positive reviews, Birds of Prey is floundering at the box office. The film had the worst opening for the DCEU yet, breaking the winning streak that Warner Bros. have been on ever since their post-Justice League course correction. It scored just $33 million on its opening weekend, meaning that right now, it’s one of the lowest-grossing comic book movies ever (and is the worst since Jonah Hex).

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Clearly, then, Warner Bros. are in damage limitation mode and, in an effort to shore up numbers, decided that the title of the movie needs to change. Though most simply referred to the film as Birds of Prey, its official title is the cumbersome Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Some industry analysts blamed this for the movie’s failure, arguing that the studio should have made sure that Margot Robbie’s popular Harley Quinn was front and center. As such, they’ve renamed the pic Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey.

Fans of the film (of which there are many, because it’s actually pretty good) responded to the change on Twitter, and it seems there’s a bit of confusion as some feel it’s a good move while others don’t see why the studio did it.

LMAO – #BirdsOfPrey is performing so terribly at the box office that WB is changing the title of the movie WHILE IT’S IN THEATERS in a desperate attempt to boost sales on Harley’s name

What a shit show

cc: @YellowFlashGuy @ThatUmbrella @thatstarwarsgrl https://t.co/UGW7JSQffC

— Donal DeLay (@DonalTDeLay) February 11, 2020

Most are just calling it Birds of Prey. I honestly don’t think a title change is gonna so a damn thing. #BOP

— Mike Snyder (@TheMikeSnyder) February 11, 2020

Well let's face it: it IS a Harley Quinn movie more than a Birds of Prey movie. The title change may be silly, but at least it's accurate now.

— Scruffy finished the Pokemon Black 2 PO challenge! (@scruffymatt42) February 11, 2020

Birds of Prey is getting a title change even though its already in cinemas. Shame its bombed because it is the best movie in the DCEU.

— Robert Danylkiw (@RDanylkiw) February 11, 2020

The old title was much more creative. And even if they wanted to change it, why not change it to Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey?

Idk but either way this is disappointing. https://t.co/n6jbDZDAP5

— j ♕ all up in your mind defender (@knowlesstallion) February 11, 2020

All I Ask Is That BIRDS OF PREY AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN doesn’t change it’s title a 3rd time when it hits Home Video.

But if You Must Retitle, change it to “HARLEY QUINN X BIRDS OF PREY: ALL YOU NEED IS EGG SANDWICHES”.

— Jacob ”Zice033: Movies Are Cool” Miller (@JacobMiller033) February 11, 2020

I don't like the title change but I'll support anything that gives them better marketing. I just got out of seeing it and it's definitely a Birds of Prey movie. I'm hoping the next BOP movie doesn't include Harley at all and lets them have their own spotlight.

— Biancadonk (@Biancadonked) February 11, 2020

I'm a little bit disappointed in Warner. First, they undermarket Birds Of Prey and then they decide to change the title of the movie in order to get people into seats. Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey is a shit title though.

— LB (@Dareedevokl) February 11, 2020

Huge bummer that no one is going to see Birds of Prey, it’s fantastic…maybe the title change will help? Now called…Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey. Who knows, but comic fans should be supporting this movie more #BirdsOfPrey #harleyquinn pic.twitter.com/jNyMS0N9u8

— Scene Invaders (@SceneInvaders) February 11, 2020

So, the general mood is disappointment that Birds of Prey isn’t doing well and pessimism that this change will help. Apparently, what’s really hurting the movie is its R-rating, with THR reporting that while the marketing and characters appeal to teenage audiences, most of them are restricted from seeing it. So, who knows, if the movie continues to tank, maybe we’ll see a new PG-13 cut released to try and seize upon that interest?

Another factor that’s rumored to be affecting box office is the coronavirus outbreak, which has caused audiences at cinemas to plummet in Asia. The film doesn’t have an official release in China, but fear of being in enclosed, busy areas is impacting moviegoing across the continent.

In any case, let’s hope Birds of Prey finds its legs, as it’d be a shame if Warner Bros. took the wrong lessons from its underperformance.

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Author

David James

I'm a writer/editor who's been at the site since 2015. Love writing about video games and will crawl over broken glass to write about anything related to Hideo Kojima. But am happy to write about anything and everything, so long as it's interesting!