Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Tops Thursday Previews Among DCEU Films

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has just unveiled its box office preview figures, marking the culmination of the DC Extended Universe’s cinematic journey. Unfortunately, the aquatic superhero sequel appears to have failed to make the kind of splash that its predecessor did during its debut.

According to data from Variety, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom managed to net $4.5 million in Thursday previews domestically. While this figure is certainly substantial, it falls short of the impressive $9 million earned by the original Aquaman in its preview screenings back in 2018. Nevertheless, the latest installment in the DCEU managed to outpace other underwhelming box office performances within the franchise this year. For comparison, The Flash attracted $9.7 million in previews, while Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Blue Beetle earned $3.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

However, despite this moderate success, box office projections for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s four-day Christmas weekend release seem to paint a less optimistic picture. Industry experts estimate that the superhero blockbuster is on track to make up to $40 million domestically during the extended Christmas break. While this is not an insignificant amount, it represents a considerable decline from the original Aquaman’s impressive $67 million haul across North American cinemas during its opening weekend.

While it is anticipated that the film will see a boost in its international box office figures during its debut weekend, it’s uncertain whether Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will manage to match the global success of its predecessor, which grossed over $1.15 billion during its theatrical run—a result that even star Jason Momoa admitted took him by surprise.

Speaking of Momoa, the future of the actor as Aquaman remains uncertain. In recent statements, Momoa himself acknowledged that it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that he will reprise the role of the trident-wielding Atlantean. Rumors are swirling that Momoa might be eyeing a transition to the character Lobo in the revamped DC Universe under the stewardship of DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran—a role that Momoa has expressed a longstanding desire to play. Reportedly, negative test screenings for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom have further prompted a reevaluation of Momoa’s commitment to the Aquaman character.

Despite Momoa’s claims that The Lost Kingdom is a “really great movie,” the film has faced early criticism, earning one of the lowest scores for a DCEU film on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The tepid reception adds to the challenges faced by the DC cinematic universe, which has experienced a string of box office disappointments with films like Fury of the Gods, The Flash, and Blue Beetle barely recouping their budgets since their respective releases this year.

The Lost Kingdom brings an end to a turbulent era for the DCEU, paving the way for a revamped DC Universe under the guidance of Gunn and Safran. The franchise aims to chart a new course with a fresh lineup of films.

Currently playing in theaters across North America, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s box office performance will be closely watched as it navigates the waters of critical reception and audience expectations in the coming weeks.

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