Aquaman 2 Box Office Opening Plummets Below Shazam 2 Flop (But Might Grow)
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's opening weekend is plummeting below expectations. The movie is the first direct sequel to the 2018 smash hit Aquaman, which remains the highest-grossing installment in the DC Extended Universe. It features the return of Aquaman (Jason Momoa), most recently seen in the post-credits sequence of The Flash, as he teams up with his untrustworthy half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) to take down the returning villain Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II).
Disappointing Opening Weekend
The opening weekend of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is falling below expectations, raising concerns among fans and industry experts. As the first direct sequel to the 2018 smash hit Aquaman, which is the highest-grossing installment in the DC Extended Universe, the anticipation for the movie was high. The storyline revolves around the return of Aquaman (Jason Momoa), who was last seen in the post-credits sequence of The Flash. He joins forces with his untrustworthy half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) to confront the returning villain Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II).
Aquaman breaking Orm out of prison in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
According to Deadline, the 3-day opening weekend projections for the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom box office have deflated, with the domestic opening weekend estimated to result in $27.6 million. This figure is significantly lower than the $30.1 million total earned by DC's earlier 2023 film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, during its own opening weekend. The disappointing opening places Aquaman 2 as the fourth-worst opening weekend of the franchise, trailing behind The Suicide Squad, Blue Beetle, and Wonder Woman 1984.
Opportunity for Growth
Despite the discouraging initial box office numbers, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom still holds the potential for growth in the coming weeks and months. The movie's production budget exceeds $200 million, making the current opening result even more disheartening. However, holiday releases often exhibit consistent week-on-week grosses, suggesting that the New Year period and January could provide a valuable opportunity for the movie to gain momentum.
While the reviews for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom have been trending negative, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 36%, there is hope for a turnaround. Projections indicate that the movie is expected to perform well on Christmas Day, with a projected 4-day gross between $38 and $39 million at the domestic box office. Additionally, the international box office numbers are yet to be calculated and could potentially provide a significant boost, similar to the original Aquaman's performance in the 2018 holiday season.
Upcoming Prospects
Looking ahead, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is positioned to benefit from a lack of competition in the early months of 2024. While January will see notable wide releases such as Mean Girls and Night Swim, the next major tentpole release is not expected until the debut of the Henry Cavill spy movie Argylle on February 2. Furthermore, the next big superhero movie, Madame Web, is scheduled to hit theaters on Valentine's Day. This lack of direct competition presents an opportunity for Aquaman 2 to attract audiences and gain traction in the box office.
The original Aquaman's theatrical run culminated in a remarkable $1.15 billion worldwide, showcasing the potential for substantial success despite initial setbacks. With strategic positioning and a favorable release schedule, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has the opportunity to overcome its underwhelming opening and emerge as a formidable force in the box office.
