Aquaman’ Sequel’s Christmas Debut Falls Short, Earning Only $40M
“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” Falls Short at the Box Office
The highly anticipated superhero film, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, failed to make a splash at the box office, bringing in a disappointing $40 million during its opening weekend.
Starring Jason Momoa as the King of Atlantis, the movie only managed to earn $27.7 million for the regular weekend and struggled to reach $40 million over the extended four-day holiday weekend, according to Variety.
This disappointing performance adds to a string of underwhelming releases for Warner Bros. and DC in 2023. Earlier this year, “The Flash” debuted with $55 million, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” with $30 million, and “Blue Beetle” with $25 million, all falling short of expectations, as reported by the outlet.
Despite the lackluster start, industry analysts remain hopeful for “Aquaman 2.” December releases often have a slow start but gradually gain momentum into the new year. This was the case with the original ”Aquaman,” which initially earned $67 million and went on to generate $335 million domestically and a staggering $1.15 billion globally.
Currently, “Aquaman 2” holds a 36% critic score and a 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Reviewers Share Their Disappointment
Critics have not been kind to the sequel, with one reviewer from The Observer describing it as a “shoddy, scraped-from-the-bottom-of-an-ocean-trench sequel.” Another reviewer agreed, stating that the film “implodes under the pressure likely generated by all the behind-the-scenes tinkering.”
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The superhero genre as a whole has been facing challenges recently. In November, “The Marvels,” the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), had its worst opening weekend in franchise history, earning just $47 million.
Due to production delays caused by strikes, several upcoming Marvel releases, including “Captain America: A Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts,” and “Blade,” have been pushed to 2025. As a result, “Deadpool 3″ is the only Marvel film scheduled for 2024.
Meanwhile, DC has “Joker: Folie á Deux” set to debut in November 2024 and “Superman: Legacy” hitting theaters in July 2025.
What factors may have contributed to the underperformance of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” at the box office?
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The underperformance of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” at the box office has left many industry insiders surprised and disappointed. The film, which was highly anticipated by fans of the superhero genre, failed to make a significant impact during its opening weekend, bringing in a disappointing $40 million.
Starring Jason Momoa as the charismatic King of Atlantis, the movie struggled to attract a larger audience, earning just $27.7 million during the regular weekend. Even with the extended four-day holiday weekend, the film fell short of expectations, according to Variety.
This lackluster performance only adds to a series of underwhelming releases for Warner Bros. and DC in 2023. Earlier this year, “The Flash” debuted with $55 million, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” with $30 million, and “Blue Beetle” with $25 million, all failing to meet projected numbers.
Despite this disappointing start, industry analysts remain hopeful for the future prospects of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” December releases often experience a slow start but gradually gain momentum into the new year. This was evident with the original “Aquaman” film, which initially earned $67 million but went on to generate an impressive $335 million domestically and a staggering $1.15 billion globally.
There are several factors that could contribute to the lukewarm performance of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” at the box office. Competition from other highly anticipated releases, such as “Spider-Man: Across the Multiverse,” and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected audience turnout.
Additionally, the mixed reviews from critics and audiences might have influenced potential viewers. While some praised the stunning visuals and Jason Momoa’s charismatic performance, others criticized the film for its weak storyline and lack of character development.
Nevertheless, the future success of “Aquaman 2” will heavily rely on its ability to build positive word-of-mouth and generate more buzz in the coming weeks. With the holiday season approaching and the gradual recovery of the film industry post-pandemic, there is still a chance for the film to gain momentum and attract larger audiences.
It is worth noting that box office numbers do not always reflect the quality or cultural impact of a film. Successful franchises often have sequels that perform better than their predecessors, regardless of initial box office numbers. Warner Bros. and DC can still hope that “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” will find its audience through streaming platforms and home video releases.
In conclusion, the disappointing box office performance of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” raises concerns for Warner Bros. and DC. However, with the right marketing strategies and word-of-mouth, the film still has a chance to turn its fortunes around and reach a wider audience. Only time will tell if “Aquaman 2” can replicate the success of its predecessor and make a splash at the box office.
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