After being considered one of the worst DCEU films by most critics in the country, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom debuted with one of the worst opening weekends.
The sequel, which was estimated to open at $32 million to $42 million, failed to even reach the low end of projections with an estimated $28 million.
The film is estimated to gross a total of $40 million over the four-day holiday weekend, with Christmas Day falling on Monday.
Still, it ranks as one of the worst openings in DCEU history, surpassing only The Suicide Squad ($26.2 million) and Blue Beetle ($25 million), as well as Wonder Woman 1984 ($16 million). .4 million US dollars) debuted lower.
This film also marks the end of the DC Extended Universe, with the new regime of James Gunn and Peter Safran beginning Superman: Legacy in 2025.
After being considered one of the worst DCEU films by most critics in the country, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom debuted with one of the worst opening weekends
The sequel, which was estimated to open at $32 million to $42 million, failed to even reach the low end of projections with an estimated $28 million
“Aquaman 2” opened in 3,706 theaters and brought in a decent per-screen average of $7,582 in its opening weekend.
The sequel pales in comparison to its predecessor: 2018's “Aquaman” brought in $67.8 million.
Its gross was $335.1 million domestically and $1.152 billion worldwide, the only DCEU film to break the $1 billion mark.
With such a soft opening and a budget reportedly over $200 million, the film is likely on its way to being a colossal flop.
It performed better in foreign markets, grossing an additional $80 million on a worldwide debut of $120 million.
“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” ultimately dethroned last weekend’s winner, Wonka, which slipped 54.6% to second place with $17.7 million.
In one of the final weekends of the year at the box office, “Aquaman” had to face off against a slew of newcomers.
Universal's animated comedy “Migration” opened with $12.3 million from 3,761 theaters, for a per-screen average of $3,273.
“Aquaman 2” opened in 3,706 theaters and brought in a healthy average of $7,582 per screen in its opening weekend
Sony's romantic comedy Anyone But You debuted in fourth place with just $6.2 million from 3,055 theaters and a paltry $2,040 per theater average, with Salaar ($5.4 million, 802 theaters, an average of $6,834 per theater) rounded out fifth place.
Rounding out the top 10 are “The Iron Claw” ($5 million, 2,774 theaters, $1,824 per theater average), “The Boy and the Heron” ($3.1 million, 1,580 theaters, average). $1,996 per theater) and “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Songbirds.” & Snakes ($3.1 million, 2,509 theaters, $1,255 per screen average), Godzilla Minus One ($2.7 million, 1,965 theaters, $1,394 per screen average) and Poor Things ( $2.1 million, 800 theaters, average $2,637 per screen).
While the weekend is over, Christmas Day brings three new films to theaters: The Color Purple, Ferrari and the musical The Color Purple.
As the year comes to a close, Barbie has become by far the highest-grossing film of 2023, with $636.2 million domestically