Title: Aquaman’s Sequel, “The Lost Kingdom,” Struggles in Opening Weekend
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 superhero film, made a lackluster debut at the box office with only $13.7 million on its opening day. This figure marks a sharp decline from its predecessor, Aquaman, which raked in an impressive $27.7 million on its opening day.
The tepid response to the sequel has left Warner Bros. questioning the future of the franchise. Instead, the studio is redirecting its attention towards James Gunn’s reboot of various DC Comics properties. It appears that Warner Bros. has moved on from Aquaman in favor of exploring new avenues of the superhero genre.
The initial reviews for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom have been less than favorable, in stark contrast to the overwhelmingly positive reception received by the first film. Troubled production reports and a sense of superhero fatigue among audiences have contributed to low expectations for the sequel.
However, despite the less promising outlook, industry experts still anticipate Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to be a leader at the box office during the upcoming holiday season. The star-studded cast, with Jason Momoa reprising his role as Aquaman, along with Patrick Wilson and Yahya Abdul-Matteen II joining forces, is expected to attract fans to theaters.
Warner Bros. faces tough competition, even from its own film, as Wonka continues to draw audiences in its second weekend. However, the studio remains hopeful that Aquaman’s devoted fanbase and the allure of a superhero spectacle will help combat any challenges.
In other film news, Illumination’s “Migration,” an animated adventure following a family of ducks, opened to lackluster numbers, collecting only $5.8 million. While falling behind previous successful animated releases, the film received positive feedback, boasting a favorable Cinema Score grade.
A24’s drama “The Iron Claw,” exploring the compelling story of the Von Erich family, earned an estimated $2.4 million on its opening day. Additionally, the Telugu-language gang war epic, “Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire,” opened in 750 locations and generated $3.7 million, captivating audiences.
Lastly, the romantic comedy “Anyone but You,” starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, managed to earn $3.4 million across its first day and preview screenings. The film, despite receiving mediocre reviews, achieved a slightly higher Cinema Score grade of “B+.”
As the weekend progresses, moviegoers eagerly await the final box office numbers, which will reveal whether Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom can overcome its underwhelming start and emerge victorious in the end.
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