An era of DC superhero movies is coming to an end this week, but hardly with a splash. Warner Bros.’Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomis expected to conclude theDC Extended Universe’s decade-long run with an underwhelming debut at the domestic box office, after grossing just under $14 million on Friday, which includes the $4.5 million that it made in Thursday previews. The film is expected to generate around $30 million across the traditional three-day weekend, with a $43 million gross being projected for the extended four-day Christmas weekend.
By comparison, 2018’sAquamangrossed $72 million in its extended opening weekend, and stayed afloat through the holiday season on its way to an astonishing $1.1 billion global haul — the highest-ever for a DC superhero movie. But times have changed for the genre since then. W.B. has delivered three superhero box office duds itself this year —Shazam! Fury of the Gods,Blue BeetleandThe Flash.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, with itspoor reviews— the movie currently sits at a “rotten” 36% score on the aggregatorRotten Tomatoes— is the final nail in the franchise’s coffin, before it is rebooted in 2025 withJames Gunn’sSuperman: Legacy. But W.B. can find solace in the fact that the movie isn’t entirely tanking despite huge competition this weekend, and is actually performing better than fellow Christmas releaseJumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
This Is Shaping Up to be a Packed Christmas Weekend
The studio is also taking the second spot, with last week’sWonkaeyeing a $28 million four-day haul, which represents a strong hold. StarringTimothée Chalamet, the prequel toRoald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” grossed $40 million in itsfirst weekend, and will pass the $80 million mark at the domestic box office by Sunday.Wonkagrossed $6.5 million on its second Friday, and should shoot past the $200 million milestone worldwide this weekend.
The third and fourth spots this weekend will likely be claimed by Universal’s original animated filmMigrationand Sony’s buzzy rom-comAnyone But You.Migrationcould potentially take over from where the studio’s sleeper hitTrolls Band Togetherleft off. The film grossed $5.8 million on Friday, including previews, after having opened in select overseas marketslast week. StarringSydney SweeneyandGlen Powell,Anyone But Youis looking at an $8.5 million four-day haul after grossing $3.4 million on Friday.
The Indian action-thrillerSalaar: Part 1 — Ceasefireactually out-performedAnyone But Youon Friday, posting a nearly $4 million haul from under 800 theaters (the rom-com, by comparison, is playing in around 2,000 more locations). StarringPrabhas,Salaaris looking at $8.4 million across the extended weekend. Also debuting this weekend is A24’sThe Iron Claw, which grossed $2.5 million on Friday, and in limited release, Searchlight’sAll of Us Strangers, which made $65,000 from four locations on opening day. W.B. will releaseThe Color Purpleon Christmas Day, potentially setting up utter domination in the top three spots. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman, embarks on an epic quest to a mysterious lost kingdom that could hold the key to saving Atlantis from a looming danger. Teaming up with allies old and new, he faces powerful adversaries and uncovers secrets long buried beneath the ocean’s depths.
