‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Garners $28 Million in Opening Weekend; Still Not Enough To Be a Success

‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ had a challenging debut at the box office this weekend, pulling in a modest $28 million. The film faced early setbacks with a 36% Rotten Tomatoes score and a “B” CinemaScore, placing it on the lower end of the DCEU rating spectrum.

Comparatively, the original ‘Aquaman’ raked in $28 million in just one day, highlighting the sequel’s underperformance against the projected $40 million earnings. Despite these hurdles, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ still outpaced other releases over the weekend.

The film marks the conclusion of the current DCEU era, leading to a rebooted DCU under James Gunn. However, this transition seemed to dampen audience enthusiasm, as fans were less inclined to invest in character stories with an uncertain future. Even though ‘The Lost Kingdom’ provided a satisfying conclusion to the existing universe, the lack of a clear continuation may have deterred some viewers.

Marketing also played a role in the film’s struggles. ‘Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom’ faced delays in promotional efforts, partially due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Additionally, controversy surrounded Amber Heard’s return as Mera, with fans expressing discontent over her involvement amidst her legal battle with Johnny Depp.

Despite its box office disappointment, ‘Aquaman the Lost Kingdom’ did manage to outperform two major superhero releases this year—’The Marvels’ and ‘The Flash,’ both of which faced their own challenges within their cinematic universes.

What are your thoughts on the film’s performance? Share your opinions in the comments below!