Jason Momoa's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Tops Box Office with $28M Opening
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the latest installment in the DCEU, has made a splash at the box office but falls short of expectations with a $28 million opening.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's Underwhelming Box Office Performance
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the highly anticipated sequel to 2018's Aquaman, has had a lukewarm start at the box office. The original film performed exceptionally well on its opening weekend, grossing nearly $28 million on its first day and earning over $20 million on Christmas Day, which is traditionally a slow day for movie theaters. However, five years later, the sequel has received a similar opening of $28 million over a three-day weekend.
Comscore reports that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is projected to have a total gross of $40 million by the end of its four-day opening weekend, with Christmas falling on a Monday. While these numbers may seem decent, they do not meet the high expectations set for superhero movies in recent years.
Despite the underwhelming domestic performance, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has fared better internationally, accumulating $80.1 million in global ticket sales. This brings its worldwide opening total to $120.1 million.
The Cast and Plot of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Directed by James Wan, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom continues the underwater adventures of Arthur Curry, played by Jason Momoa. The film centers around the conflict between Curry and his arch-nemesis Black Manta, portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
The sequel also features returning cast members Patrick Wilson, Nicole Kidman, and Amber Heard, reprising their roles from the first film. Aquaman, released in 2018, became the highest-grossing film in the DCEU, earning nearly $1.2 billion worldwide.
Despite the success of the first film, Momoa expressed uncertainty about the future of the Aquaman franchise. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, he stated that the possibility of reprising his role would depend on the audience response to the new movie.
Challenges for DC Studios
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's box office performance raises concerns for DC Studios, which is currently undergoing a reevaluation of its superhero strategy under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
With a reported budget of $205 million, the film's opening gross may not be enough to ensure profitability. The studio's ability to attract and retain audience interest is crucial for the future success of the Aquaman franchise and the broader DCEU.
Other films like Wonka, Migration, and Anyone but You also debuted this weekend, but their box office performances were overshadowed by Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The Color Purple is set to open on Christmas Day, adding to the holiday movie lineup.
