The highly anticipated DC Universe film, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” seems to be struggling to make waves at the box office, earning only $4.5 million in Thursday previews. The superhero sequel, positioned as the final installment of the DCEU before a reboot by DC Studios chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran, is unfortunately following the trend of recent DC movies that failed to meet box office expectations.
Projections for the four-day holiday weekend estimate a disappointing $35 million to $40 million, a far cry from the $67 million opening the original “Aquaman” enjoyed five years ago. Despite its slow start, the first “Aquaman” managed to ride the waves to an impressive $335 million in North America and a staggering $1.15 billion globally.
Comparatively, recent DC films like “The Flash,” “Blue Beetle,” and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” also faced underwhelming box office performances. This downturn raises concerns for the future of the DCEU, especially as DC Studios plans a reboot starting with “Superman: Legacy” in 2025.
While “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” promises thrilling underwater action and a star-studded cast led by Jason Momoa, it appears that audiences may not be as enthusiastic as anticipated. The film’s challenges at the box office reflect a broader trend in the superhero genre, where viewer expectations and preferences are evolving.
As diverse films, including the animated feature “Migration,” romantic comedy “Anyone but You,” and sports biopic “The Iron Claw,” enter the scene, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” faces stiff competition. With a changing landscape in the DC Universe, only time will tell how this latest instalment will contribute to the evolving narrative of superhero cinema.