Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is leading in the DCEU Charts
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is leading in the DCEU Charts. It is not only the biggest post-pandemic success but also the most significant achievement of the last five years for the franchise.
By Megan Sauer
Although no one gave a cent for the movie, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom has emerged as the shining beacon of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), marking not only the greatest post-pandemic success but also the most significant achievement of the last five years.
Directed by James Wan and starring Jason Momoa, the sequel has grossed more than US$412 million worldwide, exceeding expectations and defying initial predictions.
Despite the steady decline in the number of theaters showing it,
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has maintained its position in the top 10 at the box office for six consecutive weeks. The film generated nearly $3 million at the domestic box office (U.S. and Canada) this past weekend, taking it past the staggering $400 million mark globally.
Although the current figure is far from the colossal US $1.1 billion that the first installment achieved in 2018, it represents a notable improvement compared to the commercial performance of the latest films of the now defunct DCEU.
China stands as the most prominent market outside of North America, contributing US$61 million so far.
This country, which previously showed unusual enthusiasm for the first installment, has once again demonstrated its appreciation for superhero stories, surpassing the figures of Oppenheimer directed by Christopher Nolan, which reached US $63 million in China last year.
The success of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom contrasts with the considered unsatisfactory performance of Black Adam in 2022, which accumulated US $393 million worldwide.
The drop in the DCEU box office became evident with Black Adam and was accentuated with The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, the last two generating less than $130 million worldwide.
This decline has led to a restructuring of the DCEU under the leadership of new CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, with a reboot planned and the direction of the first film of the new era, Superman: Legacy, scheduled for 2025.
The production of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom had a reported budget of US$200 million, and its success at the box office now puts it at breakeven.
The film has been supported by an impressive 81% audience score, highlighting the disparity between critical reception and public appreciation.
This financial milestone not only cements Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom as a DCEU success but also highlights audiences’ ability to embrace superhero narratives following the challenges and changes in the film industry during and after the pandemic.
The combination of Wan’s direction and Momoa’s charismatic performance has proven to be a winning formula, revitalizing the franchise and leaving fans eager for future installments.
The film is the final point of the DCEU, which in the last five years stood out for its tremendous failures, and this leads us to ask, will the new DC cinematic universe be able to maintain this momentum in the next installments, or will this be a fleeting glow? and are new failures coming?
Only time will tell, but for now, the kingdom of Atlantis shines with renewed brilliance on the big screen.
