While Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom disappointed with debut earnings in North America reaching only $28.1 million, it was still enough for the last film in the DCEU to win the domestic weekend box office.
As reported by Comscore, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is expected to earn $40 million over the Christmas holiday weekend domestically. Overseas, the sequel to 2018’s Aquaman brought in another $80.1 million to help bring its global tally to $120.1 million.
This performance puts it not only behind the original Aquaman’s $67.8 million opening weekend and the MCU-worst The Marvels at $47.0 million, but also the debuts of two of the three other DCEU films this year, which were The Flash’s $55 million and Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ $30.1 million. It did, however, surpass Blue Beetle’s opening bow of $25.0 million.
The original Aquaman had the worst opening for a DCEU film back in 2018, but it picked up speed as the weeks progressed and ended with over $1.1 billion at the global box office and $335 million in North America. This film, however, is treading in different waters as it is officially the last film in the DCEU before the James Gunn and Peter Safran-led DCU begins with Superman: Legacy.
It also is sitting at a 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is significantly less than the 66% the original earned. That being said, the audience scores are much closer at 72% for the sequel and 79% for the original.
In our Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom review, we said, “When Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is being an Aquaman story and leaning into the silliness and family aspects of it all, it’s fun. The enjoyable bits are just sandwiched between some ugly effects and a weird first act that feel cobbled together from a very different movie.”
Wonka, the film that won last weekend’s box office, placed second with $17.7 million. The Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory prequel is now sitting at a sweet $254.9 million globally.
Newcomer Migration took third place with $12.3 million, Anyone But You placed fourth with $6.2 million, and Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire rounded out the top five with $5.4 million.
In our Migration review, we said it is “satisfactory but uninspiring. Its animation and character dynamics are something the film, and the studio, can be proud of. However, its need to be a money-making blockbusting animated film robs it of its sincerity and charm, things that have been missing from Illumination’s films for quite some time.”
In our Anyone But You review, we said, “while Anyone But You isn’t a bold new take on traditional romcom formulas, it becomes an infectiously sincere and easily watchable movie featuring a charming ensemble cast and great situational comedy.”
As for Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, it is an Indian Telugu-language epic action film that stars Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, Jagapathi Babu and is directed by Prashanth Neel. The film takes place a fictional city-state called Khansaar that is about to see a coup d’état take place. In response, the prince of Khansaar requests the help of a tribesman he calls a friend to help secure his rule.
For more, check out our explainer of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s ending and post-credits scene and the roadmap of the new DCU that is about to truly begin.
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
