“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” the highly anticipated sequel starring Jason Momoa, has encountered a disappointing opening weekend at the box office, marking one of the worst debuts for a film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The movie fell short of low-end estimates, securing a total opening of $28 million, a figure that places it among the lowest-performing DCEU films.
Despite the allure of the Christmas holiday weekend, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is projected to earn approximately $40 million over the four days, raising concerns about its long-term success. The film’s lackluster performance is particularly noteworthy given its reported budget of $200 million, setting the stage for discussions about the financial viability of the project.
The sequel’s underwhelming start aligns it with other DCEU films that faced challenges during their opening weekends, including “Wonder Woman 1984,” “Blue Beetle,” and “The Suicide Squad.” Industry experts are now speculating about the broader implications of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s” performance, with some predicting it as a potential indicator of the conclusion of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Extended Universe.
While it’s not uncommon for films to face hurdles in their initial release, the disappointment surrounding “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” raises questions about the current state and future direction of the DCEU. As the industry observes how the film performs in the coming weeks, discussions about its impact on the larger DC cinematic universe are likely to intensify, with audiences and industry insiders closely watching the fate of this highly anticipated sequel.
