The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) achieved a significant milestone with James Wan’s Aquaman, which continues to hold the title of the highest-grossing DC film more than six years after its release. This groundbreaking movie not only set records within the franchise but also marked a pivotal moment in the DCEU’s evolution, transitioning from its original narrative to embrace a broader cinematic universe.
Following Man of Steel, the DCEU initiated its first crossover in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which hinted at the formation of the Justice League through brief appearances by Aquaman, Flash, and Cyborg. This led to the full assembly of the Justice League in Justice League, and subsequently, Wan’s Aquaman received his standalone film—a significant departure from Zack Snyder’s original vision for the DCEU.
A Transition to the New DC Universe
The chapter of the DCEU is now officially closed as the DCU begins its new narrative. As part of this rebranding, Jason Momoa will move away from his role as Aquaman to portray Lobo in James Gunn’s upcoming installment, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. While the DCU has yet to announce a replacement for Aquaman, the legacy of Momoa’s portrayal looms large, as he became a fan-favorite character within the franchise, evidenced by the impressive box office performance of Aquaman.
Box Office Success of Aquaman
Aquaman’s Unmatched Revenue
In its initial week, Aquaman garnered an impressive $105.4 million domestically. By the end of its theatrical run, the film accumulated approximately $1.131 billion worldwide, solidifying its position not only as the highest-grossing film in the DCEU but also as Warner Bros.’ second highest-grossing movie, sitting just behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Following its release, Barbie overtook Aquaman with a staggering $1.4 billion at the global box office.
No other DCEU titles have come close to matching Aquaman’s success. The films that follow it in box office rankings—Batman v Superman, Wonder Woman, Suicide Squad, Man of Steel, and Justice League—were all released prior to Aquaman. The sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, managed to break the franchise’s downward trend with a respectable box office gross of $439 million.
Aquaman’s Financial Performance
A Brave Financial Gamble for Warner Bros.
With budget estimates ranging from $160 million to $200 million, Aquaman was a bold investment for Warner Bros. Especially considering the shifting landscape of superhero films, where recent releases like The Flash and The Marvels struggled to recoup their costs.
The risk was particularly notable as the character had not been a solid franchise draw prior to the film’s release. After the disappointing returns of Batman v Superman and Justice League, the success of Aquaman was uncertain. However, it surpassed expectations, rejuvenating interest in the DCEU and establishing Aquaman as a leading character in the DC cinematic universe, dominating the box office during the 2018 holiday season.
The Future of DC Characters in Cinema
Diverse Characters Possess Box Office Potential
Historically, Batman has been the stalwart of DC’s box office, with films like The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises achieving box office success before the DCEU commenced. However, Aquaman’s record-breaking revenue—surpassing even the lukewarm reception of Batman v Superman—demonstrates that DC characters beyond the iconic duo have the potential to thrive.
This indicates that cinematic success can arise from innovative storytelling and creative execution rather than relying solely on a character’s pre-existing popularity. While the rich texture of Aquaman’s underwater world captivated audiences, films like The Flash failed to make the same impact due to convoluted narratives. Moving forward, DC can explore a wealth of characters similar to Aquaman, potentially leading to future hits that can rival the success of more established heroes.
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