Aquaman’ sequel expected to earn less than half of original film’s opening weekend due to superhero genre’s challenges
DC’s “Aquaman” Sequel Faces Challenging Waters at Box Office
The highly anticipated sequel to DC’s “Aquaman” is expected to make less than half of what the original film achieved during its opening holiday weekend. The superhero genre, it seems, is struggling to make waves at the box office.
“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is currently projected to earn $40 million in ticket sales over the four-day Christmas holiday weekend (Dec. 22-Dec 25), according to sources with access to data compiled by the National Research Group (NRC), as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. However, Warner Bros., the home of DC, is more optimistic, estimating sales to be around $50 million.
The sequel follows the success of the 2018 “Aquaman” film, which earned a whopping $75.8 million over the four-day holiday weekend and a total of $1.2 billion globally, according to BoxOfficeMojo.
#Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will face rough seas when swimming into theaters over Christmas as the superhero genre continues to struggle https://t.co/15b8gv1S4Z
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) December 1, 2023
The film, led by Jason Momoa, takes fans back to the underwater world as Aquaman navigates his responsibilities as king and a member of the Justice League, all while planning a wedding, as described on IMDb.
However, the superhero genre as a whole has been facing challenges. Disney’s female-led film “The Marvels” opened to a disappointing $47 million in its first weekend, falling short of initial expectations. Similarly, DC’s “The Flash” struggled to gain traction, earning only $55 million domestically in its opening weekend.
Despite these setbacks, fans remain hopeful for the success of ”Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” and eagerly await its release.
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Wood Reporter. This figure is significantly lower than the $67.8 million that the first “Aquaman” film made during its opening weekend in December 2018.
The numbers may come as a surprise to many, considering the immense popularity of the superhero genre in recent years. Superhero movies have consistently dominated the box office, drawing in audiences with their action-packed storylines and larger-than-life characters. However, it appears that even superheroes are not immune to audience fatigue.
One possible reason for the projected decline in ticket sales is the oversaturation of the superhero market. Over the past decade, we have seen an influx of superhero films from both Marvel and DC, with each studio churning out multiple releases each year. This saturation may have led to a sense of exhaustion among audiences, who may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of superhero movies.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had an impact on the film industry as a whole. The closure of movie theaters, limited capacity, and the rise of streaming platforms have significantly changed the landscape of movie-watching. Many people have become accustomed to watching new releases from the comfort of their own homes, leading to a decrease in theater attendance.
Furthermore, the reception of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” will be crucial in determining its success at the box office. Reviews from critics and audience reactions can greatly influence the performance of a film. If the sequel fails to impress, it may struggle to generate positive word-of-mouth, impacting ticket sales in the long run.
Despite the challenges facing “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” it is important to remember that box office projections are not set in stone. There have been instances where films have exceeded expectations and performed exceptionally well, despite initial projections indicating otherwise.
Ultimately, the fate of the “Aquaman” sequel rests in the hands of the audience. It remains to be seen whether the film will be able to overcome the obstacles it faces and once again make waves at the box office. Only time will tell if “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” can live up to the success of its predecessor or if it will struggle to stay afloat in the challenging waters of the superhero genre at the box office.
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