Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Opens With a Slow $4.5M Box Office Preview

The much-anticipated sequel to DC’s Aquaman, titled “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” kicked off its Christmas box office run with a modest $4.5 million in Thursday previews from 3,040 theatres. Despite the star power of Jason Momoa and the return of director James Wan, the film is tracking to open well behind its predecessor, which earned $9 million in previews back in 2018.

A Challenging Year for Superheroes

Aquaman 2’s launch is off to a sluggish start this year, which has been a difficult one for superhero movies at the box office. It’s estimated that the Warner Bros. tentpole could make between $37 and $43 million during the four-day holiday weekend, which is way less than the first Aquaman’s amazing $67.9 million three-day opening back in 2018. The superhero sequel faces tough competition not only from its predecessor but also from the recent opening of Marvel Studios’ “The Marvels,” which earned $46.1 million. This places Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in a challenging position to match the success of the original film.

End of an Era for Aquaman

Aquaman 2 marks the end of an era for the franchise, as new DC executives James Gunn and Peter Safran prepare to reboot the DC Universe with the upcoming 2025 release, “Superman: Legacy.” Jason Momoa has hinted that there won’t be a third Aquaman instalment, adding a sense of finality to the beloved character’s cinematic journey. In 2018, the first Aquaman movie demonstrated its staying power by grossing $335.1 million domestically and a staggering $1.15 billion globally. It became the highest-grossing film in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) at the time, showcasing the character’s widespread appeal.

While Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom may not match its predecessor’s success, it’s poised to be a winner in what appears to be a relatively soft Christmas weekend at the box office, both in North America and overseas. The film hopes to stand out among the competition, including other holiday releases like “Wonka” and “The Color Purple.”

Other Players in the Mix

Aquaman 2 is not the only player in the holiday movie lineup. Other films, including Columbia/Sony’s romantic-comedy “Anyone but You” and A24’s wrestling family drama “The Iron Claw,” are also vying for audience attention. Each film brings its own unique appeal to the diverse offerings during the festive season. In the speciality box office arena, several awards contenders are expanding their reach timed to the holiday season. MGM/Amazon’s “American Fiction” is among the films seeking recognition in a highly competitive field.

As the box office numbers for all new films are folded into Friday’s official opening day gross, the industry eagerly awaits the final verdict on Aquaman 2 and its fellow holiday releases. The holiday season, particularly the week between Christmas and New Year’s, remains a lucrative stretch for moviegoing, and the performance of these films will shape the industry’s outlook as it enters the new year.