‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Surpasses $400 Million, Securing Its Position as the 11th Highest-Grossing DC Film in History
The year 2023 didn’t shine brightly for superhero movies, particularly within the DCEU, where profitability was a struggle for most releases. The last DCEU installment faced daunting challenges, as ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ marked the end of the DCEU era without a clear narrative continuation. Compounding this, the movie faced limited marketing due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, and controversy surrounding Amber Heard’s involvement following her highly publicized trial with ex-spouse Johnny Depp, leading to potential viewer boycotts.
Initial critical reception reflected the challenges, with the movie holding a 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes within the first 48 hours and receiving a “B” CinemaScore, placing it among the lowest-rated DCEU films. Despite earning $28 million in its first three days—less than the projected $40 million—the film outperformed others in its opening.
Compared to its predecessor, which earned $28 million in a single day, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ had a slower start but ultimately emerged as the DCEU’s top earner, with the first installment grossing nearly $1.2 billion. As the sequel’s box office run concludes with a global total of over $412 million, it defies earlier concerns, suggesting it may even turn a profit when considering merchandise and digital sales for the studio.
‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ has become the sole DCEU film to exceed the $400 million milestone at the global box office since the original ‘Aquaman.’ During its sixth weekend, the film generated $7 million in overseas revenue, elevating its international sum to $294.6 million across 76 markets. Combined with a domestic haul of $118.1 million and a production budget of $205 million, the movie has achieved a global cumulative total of $412.7 million. This accomplishment positions it as Warner Bros.’ fifth highest-grossing film post-COVID, surpassing ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ ‘Dune,’ and ‘Meg 2: The Trench.’ The film now aspires to reach a global total of $435 million.
‘Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom’ has surpassed the 1989 film ‘Batman,’ claiming the 11th spot among the highest-grossing DC films of all time, without adjusting for inflation. Boasting a global box office revenue exceeding $412 million, the movie proudly joins the ranks of blockbuster DC films like ‘Aquaman,’ ‘The Dark Knight Rises,’ and ‘Joker.’
As the final installment in the DCEU, ‘Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom’ solidifies its place as one of the few profitable movies in the cinematic universe. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
