While Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was a disappointment with the first film's North American earnings coming in at just $28.1 million, it was still enough for the final film in the DCEU to win the domestic box office on the weekend.
As reported by Comscore, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is expected to earn $40 million over the Christmas weekend domestically. Overseas, the 2018 Aquaman sequel earned another $80.1 million to help push its global total to $120.1 million.
This performance puts it not only behind the $67.8 million opening weekend of the original Aquaman and the worst-grossing The Marvels with $47.0 million, but also behind the debuts of two of the other three DCEU films this year, of which being The Flash's $55 million Dollars and Shazam! Wrath of the Gods, $30.1 million. However, it surpassed Blue Beetle's opening bow of $25.0 million.
The original Aquaman had the worst opening for a DCEU film of 2018, but it accelerated as the weeks went by and finished with more than $1.1 billion at the global box office and $335 million in North America. However, this film treads in different waters as it is officially the last film in the DCEU before the James Gunn and Peter Safran-led DCU begins with Superman: Legacy.
It also has a rating of 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is much lower than the 66% that the original film received. However, audience ratings are much closer to 72% for the sequel and 79% for the original.
In our review of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, we said: “When Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is an Aquaman story and leans into the silly, family-oriented aspects of it all, it's fun. The fun parts are just between some ugly effects and a weird first act that looks patched up from a different movie.” completely.”
The movie Wonka, which collected box office revenues last weekend, ranked second with revenues of $17.7 million. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory now grosses $254.9 million worldwide.
Newcomer's Migration took third place with $12.3 million, “Anybody But You” took fourth place with $6.2 million, and Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire occupied the top five with $5.4 million.
In our Immigration review, we said it was “satisfying but uninspiring. The animation and character dynamics are something the film and studio can be proud of. However, its need to be a money-making animated film robs it of its standing.” “Honesty and magic, things that have been missing from Illumination films for some time.”
In our review of Anyone But You, we said: “While Anyone But You isn't a bold new take on traditional romantic comedy formulas, it becomes an honest, easily watchable film with a charming cast and great situational comedy.”
As for Salar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, it is an Indian epic action film in the Telugu language starring Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, Jagapathi Babu and directed by Prashanth Neel. The film takes place in a fictional city-state called Khansar, which is about to witness a coup. In response, Amir Khansar seeks help from a tribesman who contacts his friend to help secure his rule.
For more, check out our breakdown of Aquaman's ending scene, the Lost Kingdom post-credits scene, and the roadmap for the new DCU that's about to really begin.
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Adam Pankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @Adam Pankhurst and on Twitch.
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