In a surprising move, the blockbuster film “Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom” is set to make a streaming debut on Netflix starting January 1, 2024. This decision comes on the heels of the movie’s underwhelming performance at the box office, earning a mere $38 million over the extended Christmas holiday weekend against its substantial $200 million budget, excluding marketing expenses.
Netflix’s acquisition of “Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom” follows its recent addition of other DC superhero films from 2023, including “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” “The Flash,” and “Blue Beetle.”
The film’s struggles at the box office stand in stark contrast to the success of its predecessor, the original “Aquaman,” which exceeded expectations by grossing over $1.1 billion following its release in 2018.
Several factors are speculated to have contributed to the disappointing theatrical run of “The Lost Kingdom.” Some attribute it to a possible case of “superhero fatigue,” suggesting that audiences may have been reluctant to head to theaters for yet another superhero installment. Additionally, there are claims that DC fans opted to boycott the film due to controversy surrounding Amber Heard’s involvement, following her ‘guilty’ verdict in the Johnny Depp defamation case.
Amidst these challenges, the film’s poor box office reception is also being linked to the broader context of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) timeline. With James Gunn and Peter Safran preparing to usher in the next phase, the uncertain future of the DCEU may have played a role in the underwhelming performance of “Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom.” The question now remains whether the film will be able to recover its substantial costs through its streaming debut on Netflix.
