Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' Records Fourth-Lowest Opening in the History of the DCEU Franchise.

Key Points:

1. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" records the fourth-lowest domestic opening in the DC Extended Universe, earning an estimated $28.1 million.
2. Since 2018's "Aquaman," only "Black Adam" has surpassed the $60 million mark in ticket sales, bringing in $67 million in early 2022.
3. Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced a complete franchise reboot scheduled for 2025 under the leadership of DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" made a splash with a $28.1 million domestic opening, ranking as the fourth-lowest debut in DC Extended Universe history. Despite initial expectations ranging from $32 million to $42 million, Warner Bros. Discovery's estimate falls significantly short of the $67.8 million earned by the first "Aquaman" installment in 2018.

This installment, presumed to be Jason Momoa's final portrayal of the aquatic hero, is anticipated to achieve approximately $40 million in ticket sales over the Christmas holiday weekend. The film's weekend performance aligns with recent trends in Warner Bros.' DC franchise, with only "Black Adam" surpassing the $60 million mark in early 2022, according to Comscore data.

Openings of Films in the DC Extended Universe

Box Office Openings for DC Extended Universe Films:

- Wonder Woman 1984" (2020) — $16.7 million
- Blue Beetle" (2023) — $25 million
- The Suicide Squad" (2021) — $26.2 million
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" (2023) — $28.1 million
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods" (2023) — $30.1 million
- Birds of Prey" (2020) — $33 million
- Shazam!" (2019) — $53.5 million
- The Flash" (2023) — $55 million
- Black Adam" (2022) — $67 million
- Aquaman" (2018) — $67.8 million
- Justice League" (2017) — $93.8 million
- Wonder Woman" (2017) — $103.2 million
- Man of Steel" (2013) — $116.6 million
- Suicide Squad" (2016) — $133.6 million
- Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016) — $166 million

Data Source: Comscore

The anticipated opening for "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" fell short at $28 million, trailing behind the $30.1 million achieved by "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" earlier in the year. Despite this, the second "Shazam!" film garnered only $57.6 million domestically and $133 million globally during its theatrical run.

Internationally, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" added $80.1 million over the weekend, bringing its estimated global earnings to $120 million, inclusive of domestic Christmas projections for Monday.

In 2018, the original "Aquaman" thrived on international ticket sales, with over 70% of its $1.15 billion box office originating from markets outside the U.S. and Canada, according to Comscore data. It remains the highest-grossing film in the DC Extended Universe franchise, with no subsequent DCEU film crossing the $400 million mark since its release.

The franchise has faced challenges, marked by criticism for CGI-heavy sequences and disjointed attempts at hero team-ups. Pandemic-related restrictions further impacted box office performances in 2020 and 2021. Despite the lifting of restrictions and a return to theaters, the DCEU struggles to regain its fanbase. The announcement of a full franchise reboot in 2025 by DC Studios' new heads, James Gunn and Peter Safran, dismayed fans, particularly those of recently released films like "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," "Blue Beetle," "The Flash," and "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," as it suggested a detachment from future DC projects.

One potential positive for the "Aquaman" sequel is its limited competition in the upcoming week, coupled with the holiday season, which may attract audiences seeking entertainment outside their homes. Despite possible superhero fatigue in 2023, late December releases like "Aquaman 2" often play the long game, drawing audiences throughout the holiday and into the new year, according to Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.