Comedies’ Misfortunes Are No Laughing Matter for Hollywood

Why are fewer moviegoers turning out for funny flicks? Blame superheroes, YouTube stars and Netflix

Comedies are becoming a grim business for Hollywood.

Traditional comedies are struggling for oxygen at the box office, caught between superhero sequels that integrate laughs and a vast buffet of stand-up specials, sitcoms, amateur pranks and original films on digital services like Netflix and YouTube,

Last year’s most successful adult comedy,...