The international box office saw “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” make its debut with $80 million, a substantial figure, yet not an extraordinary opening compared to earlier big-budget superhero films like “The Flash,” “The Marvels,” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.”
The sequel, featuring Jason Momoa as the Atlantean monarch and helmed by James Wan, commenced its global journey with $120 million, with North American ticket sales accounting for a weaker $40 million. Warner Bros. and DC’s production, estimated at $205 million, faces a trend of underperformance in the DC Extended Universe, following a series of disappointments this year, including “The Flash,” “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” and “Blue Beetle.”
Aside from poor critical reception and average audience ratings, “Aquaman 2” encounters difficulties as it’s positioned as the concluding installment preceding the reset of the expansive DC superhero universe by new architects, James Gunn and Peter Safran. This transformation may signal a departure from Momoa’s portrayal as the ruler of the underwater kingdom.
The first film, “Aquaman” released in 2018, experienced unprecedented success in a time when superhero flicks reigned supreme, accumulating a staggering $816 million internationally and $1.14 billion globally. Notably, its triumph in China, where it premiered with $93 million and concluded at $292 million, significantly contributed to its box office triumph. However, the sequel failed to replicate this feat in China, bringing in only $30 million over the weekend from 28,140 screens. While other top international markets like Mexico, Indonesia, France, and the U.K. contributed, China’s dwindling performance due to the pandemic remains a significant setback for Hollywood productions.
David A. Gross, head of Franchise Entertainment Research, commented, “Today, the Chinese market is a fraction of what it was for American movies. Overall, foreign business should still be good, just not outstanding.”
Despite “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” falling short of expectations, Warner Bros. finds reason to rejoice in the success of “Wonka,” the prequel starring Timothée Chalamet as the iconic chocolatier Willy Wonka. The film crossed the $250 million milestone after two weeks, securing $171.3 million internationally and a global total of $254.9 million against its $100 million budget.
Meanwhile, Universal and Illumination’s animated comedy “Migration” faced a lukewarm reception internationally with $22 million after two weeks and a $17 million North American opening over the holiday weekend. With a budget of $70 million, the studio remains hopeful for its staying power, drawing comparisons to recent family movie successes, considering its positive reviews and audience scores. The adventure tale, led by a voice cast featuring Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, and Awkwafina, narrates the journey of lost ducks heading south for the winter, aiming for a promising holiday run.
