Aquaman 2 Surpasses The Flash at the Box Office
The unexpected success of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in the face of recent DC box office flops has left the industry and fans in awe. Here's how the Aquaman sequel managed to outshine The Flash and break free of low expectations.
Aquaman 2's Box Office Triumph
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has achieved an unexpected box office feat, surpassing The Flash's total earnings in less than two weeks. The Numbers reported that on its fourteenth day in theaters, the Aquaman sequel amassed over $274 million, whereas The Flash earned $266.5 million in total during its 40-day theatrical run.
Jason Momoa in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom & Ezra Miller in The Flash
This surprising success comes after a string of box office struggles for the DCEU, with movies like Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, and Blue Beetle failing to meet expectations. Despite this trend, James Wan's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has managed to break free of previously low expectations and may even be on track to break even or make a profit, considering its production cost of around $215 million.
Why Aquaman 2 Outperformed The Flash
In theory, The Flash had all the makings of a box office success, featuring multiversal cameos, the multiverse concept, and beloved characters. However, these aspects may have resulted in a disjointed movie that didn't do justice to any character. On the other hand, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom focuses entirely on Aquaman and Atlantis, making it more appealing to general audiences.
The Aquaman sequel's VFX, production design, action sequences, and character development outshine The Flash, providing a more coherent and engaging cinematic experience. Additionally, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom benefits from the success of the first Aquaman movie, leveraging positive factors such as visual appeal, comic accurate suits, and Jason Momoa's popularity to ensure a better performance at the box office.
Aquaman's Impact on the Success of Aquaman 2
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom benefits from the commercial success of the first Aquaman movie, which became one of DC's highest-grossing films. The promise of a return to James Wan's Atlantis, combined with positive reception of the first movie's visuals and Jason Momoa's star power, significantly contributed to the Aquaman sequel's success at the box office.
