“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” failed to make a splash at the Christmas box office, debuting to $28 million over the weekend and an estimated $40 million through the four-day holiday weekend.
Despite managing to lead over a series of newcomers like Universal and Illumination’s animated family film Migration, the romantic comedy Anyone but You, and A24’s sports biopic The Iron Claw, Aquaman 2 faced tough competition during the holiday season.
Movie theater owners had been optimistic about the number of new releases, but the overall performance during the holiday season was lackluster, with no surprise hits or potential billion-dollar blockbusters on the horizon.
While December releases often gain momentum into the new year, Aquaman 2 entered theaters at a challenging time for superhero movies. The film received a lukewarm reception in China, once a massive market for superhero tentpoles, contributing to its international box office total of $80 million and a subdued global tally of $120 million.
