In a surprising turn of events, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” has defied early expectations and outperformed its counterparts, including “The Marvels,” within a mere two weeks of its release. Initially underestimated due to a lackluster opening, the film managed to retain a significant portion of its audience, coupled with a robust international performance. While it may fall short of reaching the impressive totals of its predecessor, “Aquaman 2” is shaping up to be a decently profitable venture.
Comparing box office numbers with other DC releases this year, such as “Black Adam,” “Shazam 2,” and “Blue Beetle,” it becomes evident that “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” has surpassed the latter two, grossing $258 million in less than two weeks. Although currently trailing behind “Black Adam,” projections suggest that it could potentially surpass the $400 million mark and overtake its competitor.
Initially drawing parallels between “Aquaman 2” and “The Marvels” as lower-earning sequels to billion-dollar originals, it is noteworthy that “Aquaman” is swiftly distancing itself from the latter. While “The Marvels” concluded its run with a global box office figure of $205 million, “Aquaman 2” has already exceeded that by 25% in under two weeks. The disparity in performance can be attributed to various factors, including the presence of two leads from Disney Plus shows that had limited viewership and a title that may have been harder to market as a direct sequel.
Despite facing lower critical acclaim than its predecessor and being labeled as the potential final installment of the DCEU era, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” has managed to attract a more substantial audience than other DC releases this year. This success, especially overseas, is somewhat enigmatic given the circumstances. The film’s performance prompts speculation about the unique appeal of the Aquaman franchise and the potential lessons it holds for the future of the DCEU.
While it remains uncertain whether DC can pinpoint the specific elements that contributed to Aquaman’s success, the film’s unexpected performance suggests that there might be an indefinable quality driving its popularity. Whether DC chooses to build upon this success or take a different creative direction remains to be seen. As the era of James Gunn’s DCU approaches, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” stands out as a testament to the franchise’s resilience and the enduring appeal of Jason Momoa’s portrayal. Perhaps, even in the face of predictions, audiences will continue to be drawn to the underwater world of Aquaman, setting the stage for potential future successes in the DC cinematic universe.