Warner Bros.’ highly anticipated release, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” faced a challenging start at the Christmas box office, managing to secure the top spot domestically but falling short of expectations. The superhero sequel opened to a disappointing $28 million over the weekend, amounting to an estimated $40 million throughout the four-day holiday weekend.
Despite claiming the number one position, the film’s performance leaves much to be desired, especially considering its substantial budget of $205 million. “Aquaman 2” ranks among the lowest superhero movie debuts of the year, trailing behind previous disappointments like November’s “The Marvels,” which marked the lowest-grossing installment in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The lackluster reception for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” continues a trend within the DC movie universe. Joining the ranks of underperforming releases in 2023, including “The Flash” ($55 million debut), “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” ($30 million debut), and “Blue Beetle” ($25 million debut), the latest DC installment struggles to make a substantial impact at the box office.
While December openings often exhibit slower starts with a potential for extended runs, “Aquaman 2” faces a more challenging journey. The film lacks significant buzz and has garnered unfavorable reviews, setting the stage for a rocky path ahead. Furthermore, it marks the final installment before a reset of the DC superhero universe under new leadership, signaling a departure from established characters like Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry.
The Christmas Day release schedule sees the arrival of several new films, including Warner’s musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” Neon’s racing drama “Ferrari,” and director George Clooney’s “The Boys in the Boat.” The industry pins hopes on these releases to invigorate moviegoing, but the absence of a potential blockbuster akin to “Spider-Man: No Way Home” or “Avatar: The Way of Water” dampens the holiday season’s overall performance.
David A. Gross, from Franchise Entertainment Research, notes the subdued state of business compared to previous Decembers, highlighting the absence of major franchises like “Star Wars,” “Jumanji,” or the initial success of “Aquaman.”
The underwhelming performance of “Aquaman 2” and other comic book adaptations in 2023 raises concerns about the once-unshakable dominance of the genre at the box office. While titles like Disney’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” found success, disappointments like Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” cast doubt on the genre’s future growth.
Despite the setbacks, industry experts anticipate potential audience connections with upcoming 2024 releases such as “Deadpool 3,” “Joker 2,” and “Venom 3.” However, the prevailing sentiment indicates a shift in the landscape of the superhero genre within the movie industry.
In other box office news, Universal and Illumination’s animated film “Migration” secured the third-place spot, opening with a modest $12.3 million from 3,708 theaters over the weekend and an estimated $17 million through Monday. The film’s positive reviews and an “A” CinemaScore offer promise for a potentially successful holiday run, akin to previous family-oriented hits like “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” and Pixar’s “Elemental.”
