‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Targets $40M+ in Christmas Weekend Box Office

At the domestic box office, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom‘ targets a $40 million opening during the four-day Christmas weekend. It falls short of ‘The Marvels,’ which had a $46.1 million 3-day opening weekend, as confirmed by Deadline,

The film is aiming for a $75M-$80M launch across 73 markets, including China. ‘Aquaman‘ released in 2018 made a big result, earning over $67 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office.

‘Aquaman 2’ Box Office Outlook Uncertain Post-‘The Flash’ Flop and Ongoing Amber Heard’s Campaigns

Despite the circumstances, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ faces potential box office challenges. The recent DCEU film ‘The Flash,’ was a major flop, resulting in a $100 million loss for Warner Bros. Pictures. As the last film in the DCEU, ‘Aquaman 2’ is under scrutiny, with ongoing campaigns related to Amber Heard‘s issues, which could impact the film’s earning potential.

‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ had a low-key premiere without a red carpet in LA. Instead, there was a small screening for the press and influencers, attended by James Wan, Peter Safran, and Jason Momoa. The embargo lifts on Thursday, less than a day before the release.

According to director Wan, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ will be a ‘bromance action-adventure movie,’ while the first one was more of a ‘romance action-adventure movie. He said, “The second movie was always going to be Arthur (Momoa) and Orm (Patrick Wilson). So, the first was a romance action-adventure movie; the second one is a bromance action-adventure movie.”

Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.

All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family, and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior. Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.

Produced by Atomic Monster and Peter Safran, it will hit theaters on December 20, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Also See: What Happens in the Post-Credits Scene of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’? (Spoilers)