The sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” surged to the top of the box office charts. The DC and Warner Bros. superhero film, featuring Jason Momoa, earned an estimated $28.1 million during its opening weekend in 3,706 locations across North America. Projections suggest the film will reach around $40 million in domestic ticket sales by Monday.
Despite the introduction of several new releases, including “Migration,” “Anyone But You,” “The Iron Claw,” and “All of Us Strangers,” the pre-holiday box office remained comparatively subdued, with audiences possibly prioritizing other activities over cinema attendance.
The challenge for Hollywood and theaters was exacerbated by Christmas Eve falling on a prime weekend day. However, historical precedent from 2017, when “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” dominated the four-day charts with $71.5 million in its second weekend, offered a contrasting perspective.
On Christmas Day, new films, including the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” Michael Mann’s racing film “Ferrari,” and George Clooney’s rowing drama “The Boys in the Boat,” are expected to attract large crowds. The period between Christmas and New Year traditionally proves lucrative for movie theaters.
While “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” led the weekend box office, it faces tough competition to match the success of blockbuster holiday releases like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Avatar,” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Social media users noted that this weekend was initially slated for the release of Patty Jenkins’ “Rogue Squadron,” a Star Wars film.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore, commented on the unusual number of seven film openings within four days. The estimated production cost of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is around $200 million, excluding marketing and promotional expenses. Including international estimates of $80 million through Monday, the film is anticipated to achieve a $120 million global debut.
The success of “Aquaman 2” marks the end of a challenging year for DC superhero films, marked by disappointments like “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” “The Flash,” and “Blue Beetle.” The studio is transitioning its slate to align with James Gunn’s vision for the future.
Warner Bros. secured the second spot at the box office with “Wonka,” earning an estimated $17.7 million over the weekend and $26.1 million by Monday. The studio is set to have a significant presence in the top five with the addition of “The Color Purple.”
Other notable performances at the box office included Illumination and Universal’s “Migration,” securing third place with an estimated $12.3 million, and A24’s “The Iron Claw,” which earned an estimated $5.1 million over the weekend.
As moviegoers continue to enjoy a variety of cinematic offerings during the holiday season, the industry anticipates robust box office figures, reinforcing the sentiment that this is a prosperous time for moviegoers. The top 10 reads like a “greatest hits” compilation of diverse cinema experiences.
Estimated ticket sales for the weekend:
- “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” $28.1 million.
- “Wonka,” $17.7 million.
- “Migration,” $12.3 million.
- “Anyone But You,” $6.2 million.
- “Salaar: Part 1—Ceasefire,” $5.5 million.
- “The Iron Claw,” $5.1 million.
- “The Hunger Games: The Ballard of Songbirds & Snakes,” $3.2 million.
- “The Boy and the Heron,” $3.2 million.
- “Godzilla Minus One,” $2.7 million.
- “Dunki,” $2.7 million.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
