AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM Actually Set A Box Office Record For DC Movies In 2023

AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM Actually Set A Box Office Record For DC Movies In 2023

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has now passed $270 million worldwide, which means James Wan's critically-panned sequel actually set a box office record for DC movies in 2023...

By MarkCassidy - Jan 04, 2024 12:01 PM EST

Though Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was almost immediately written-off as a flop after a disappointing opening weekend, the movie has been performing relatively well (all things considered) internationally over the past couple of weeks, and has now taken in $272.7 million worldwide.

Although this won't exactly be seen as a major accomplishment, this means that James Wan's sequel has made more than The Flash ($270.6 million), Shazam! Fury of the Gods ($133.8 million), and Blue Beetle ($129.3 million) to become the highest-grossing DC Comics movie of 2023.

The DCEU Is At An End! Ranking All 15 Movies From MAN OF STEEL To AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM

Aquaman 2 marks the final movie of the DCEU era before the franchise is rebooted with James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU, which means a third movie would have been unlikely even if this one had busted a few more blocks.

Long-range box office tracking was never very strong, but negative reviews probably didn't help matters. The Lost Kingdom is currently sitting at 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, although it does have a better Audience Score of 79%.

"Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.

All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, no, after w balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin."

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is now in theaters. Do you plan on seeing the movie? Drop us a comment down below.

AQUAMAN & THE LOST KINGDOM Concept Art Spotlights Alternate Mera Costume Designs
Related:

AQUAMAN & THE LOST KINGDOM Concept Art Spotlights Alternate Mera Costume Designs

When Will AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM Arrive On Max? Streaming Premiere Date Officially Revealed
Recommended For You:

When Will AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM Arrive On Max? Streaming Premiere Date Officially Revealed

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 1/4/2024, 12:08 PM
They haven't marketed the movie to the oceans.
WhatIfRickJames
WhatIfRickJames - 1/4/2024, 12:08 PM
Congrats to DC for their success
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 1/4/2024, 12:48 PM
@WhatIfRickJames -
HammerLegFoot
HammerLegFoot - 1/4/2024, 12:09 PM
Does anyone her play The Finals?
Super12
Super12 - 1/4/2024, 12:17 PM
Patrick Wilson's performance as Orm was one of the only good things about this movie. I kept watching it imagining he was Aquaman and it made the movie so much better. He looks like Arthur Curry, acts regally and maturely - it was the Aquaman we needed, but not the one we deserved.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 1/4/2024, 1:12 PM
@Super12 - He was defintiely the only one giving a committed performance.. (imo). Heard was a close second, whatever we think about her as a person, she was at least trying in this movie.

I just can't get over how unfunny Momoa was...they let him loose a bit too much. Strangely though he was the highlight in fast x and was funny there.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 1/4/2024, 12:18 PM

The biggest pile of sh!t in the elephant pen at the zoo is still just a big pile of sh!t.

ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/4/2024, 1:38 PM
@DocSpock - And this really was the biggest pile of shit. I saw it, god help me. Some of that box office money was mine!
DocSpock
DocSpock - 1/4/2024, 2:59 PM
@ObserverIO -

I think you are a good person. I won't tell anyone.... after you've paid my blackmail.

Nolanite
Nolanite - 1/4/2024, 3:10 PM
@DocSpock - big pile of shit on a bed?
DocSpock
DocSpock - 1/4/2024, 3:13 PM
@Nolanite -

Yep. They should rename Mera to Mira-Lax.

ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/5/2024, 3:54 AM
@DocSpock - Your discretion is appreciated. Checks in the mail.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 1/4/2024, 12:20 PM
Geez. Could you guys who write these articles pile on anymore sh1t with last year's DC offerings?
WE GET IT. It was a bad, bad year. Move the frick on.
tugboy
tugboy - 1/4/2024, 12:27 PM
dracula
dracula - 1/4/2024, 12:37 PM
Betting it will end next weekened between 350 mill and 400 mill
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/4/2024, 1:56 PM
@dracula - There is no way it's getting that now. Sorry to bubble-burst, I know it had an excellent drop on the second weekend, but it was still Christmas and had no competition.

The holidays are over this weekend and Mean Girls is out the following weekend, so the drop will be much more normal.

Either way, even if it were to earn 400 mil, it would still be considered a flop.
dracula
dracula - 1/4/2024, 2:10 PM
@ObserverIO - is mean girls a big draw? I know the lohan movie is popular but the mean girls brand?

January through February (and sometimes march) is usually just the trash bin for stuff destined to fail
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/4/2024, 2:17 PM
@dracula - I just assumed it would be a hit. It's a classic, it's a musical, it's got that youth thing going for it, high school. And these kids days they love Broadway musicals like nobody's business.

If you mention Beetlejuice or Heathers to a kid they know exactly what you're talking about and will start to sing all the songs. When you mention that they're actually films, they either won't know what you're talking about or they'll tell you why the musical is better.

Honestly, there's this guy who's been playing Beetlejuice who is like James Cordon-lite and they will look you square in the eyes and say he is the best Beetlejuice.

(I mean... I really can't even...)

So if I were a betting man, yeah I would think it'd make a little moolah.
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 1/4/2024, 12:37 PM
Still a massive flop😬
CapA
CapA - 1/4/2024, 12:49 PM
Best of the worst. - RedLetterMedia nod.
S8R8M
S8R8M - 1/4/2024, 1:00 PM
Go A2!
billnye69
billnye69 - 1/4/2024, 1:29 PM
It was an okay way to waste 2hrs. I've wasted 2hrs on worst activities.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/4/2024, 1:58 PM
@billnye69 - I noticed every minute of those two hours. Felt like I could have been doing anything else.
mountainman
mountainman - 1/4/2024, 1:53 PM
This won’t turn a profit, but when grading on a scale, it was the most successful DC film this year.

2023 was a rough year at the box office. Only time will tell if 2024 reverses that trend.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 1/4/2024, 2:35 PM
@mountainman - but will it do better than The Marvels? No idea what numbers that did, but I do know you had a bet with @Thaco saying it would. The bet still on?
mountainman
mountainman - 1/4/2024, 2:47 PM
@bkmeijer1 - According to Box Office Mojo, The Marvels is at $205 million and isn’t likely to earn much more than that. This movie is at $258 million and will likely still earn a good deal more. Both are financial disappointments, but it’s indisputable which is earning more - Aquaman 2.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 1/4/2024, 4:46 PM
@mountainman - had no idea The Marvels did so badly, while Aquaman does better than I expected. Guess I should've listened to your prediction
mountainman
mountainman - 1/4/2024, 4:54 PM
@bkmeijer1 - I really doubted it once I saw how bad DC was doing this year. Also, I didn’t expect the Marvels to do THIS bad. I was predicting $300-400 million or so, which would have still not turned a profit. Ultimately, a lot of big budget movies failed last year. Hollywood had really better figure out how to control their budgets and how to produce things that get more butts in seats. Most all of the studios fell on their face last year. WB has no reason to be proud of “winning” the Q4 CBM competition.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 1/5/2024, 1:28 AM
@mountainman - they're all doing pretty badly. Sane goes for non-cbm movies like Indiana Jones.

John Wick 4, The Creator and Godzilla Minus One show that will lower budget you can still make good looking, solid movies. Rather get more of that.
mountainman
mountainman - 1/5/2024, 7:38 AM
@bkmeijer1 - I’ve been saying that since 2022. Hollywood has to lower their budgets. $200 million + budgets and marketing require $500 million to break even. Even more inflated ones like The Marvels or Indy 5 require even higher numbers.

Look at movies like Ant Man 3 or The Little Mermaid. They made decent money. 10 years ago those would have been great numbers. But their budgets are what prevented them from being hits.

Let’s get more blockbusters made for $100 million or less. That way less is riding on them being these massive earners.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 1/5/2024, 8:15 AM
@mountainman - it's definitely one of the lessons they need to learn.

Kinda expected they already that change was set in motion after the pandemic led to smaller BO, yet it's something that hadn't happened yet in 2022 like you say.
Arthorious
Arthorious - 1/4/2024, 2:57 PM
I thought the movie was fun and alright for the most part. I liked Jason being able to cut loose a bit, but if WB/DC hires for a DC role in the future, just make him Lobo.
MarvelZombie616
MarvelZombie616 - 1/4/2024, 4:56 PM
I just watched Aquamsn 2.
The first movie was a 8/10, the 2nd was a 6.5/10.
AnthonyVonGeek
AnthonyVonGeek - 1/4/2024, 8:53 PM
Watched it on Tuesday and honestly it’s not a bad movie, not as good as the first but definitely one of the better CBMs of 2023.

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder