After half a decade, a sequel to the $1.14 billion blockbuster Aquaman finally made its way to theatres this year. Sadly, the response is grim. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was released today, the final addition to the DCEU films.

Despite high expectations from the James Momoa-led sequel, the film remains akin to the other poorly performing DC films like The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods. However, there is still time to weigh in on that. Interestingly, amid all this, the spotlight has turned towards 2013’s Man of Steel as one of DC’s best, with fans cherishing Henry Cavill’s Superman on social media.

Amber Heard and Jason Momoa in Aquaman 2

The first installment of The Monarch of Atlantis was well-received by viewers, becoming the highest-grossing DCEU ever. Yet, Aquaman 2 was unable to follow suit. With a budget of $215 million, the film must collect over $400 million to be considered a box-office smash. But given the half-hearted reactions from fans and critics, we can hardly say.

Aquaman 2 on the way to get bombed

Jason Momoa as Aquaman

As the festive season approaches, Aquaman 2 stands as a significant contender at the Christmas box office. However, Box Office Pro forecasts a challenging opening weekend for the DC film, with an expected range of $32 million to $42 million against its hefty $215 million budget. This projection suggests the possibility of the movie underperforming, potentially adding to DC’s list of disappointments this year.

Aquaman 2 serves as the DCEU’s final film of the year, featuring Jason Momoa in the titular role alongside a star-studded cast including Amber Heard as Mera, Patrick Wilson as Ocean Master, and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, among others. Despite the anticipation surrounding the sequel, the looming possibility of it joining DC’s recent string of underwhelming releases raises concerns about the franchise’s future.

To revitalize the DCEU, new heads James Gunn and Peter Safran are poised to take the helm and steer the superhero franchise toward a more promising direction. With Aquaman 2 potentially marking another setback for DC, the pressure is on for Gunn, Safran, and the rest of the creative team to deliver a compelling and successful vision for the future of the cinematic universe.

With a 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics not declaring themselves as big fans, the fate of Aquaman 2 is fairly decided. Meanwhile, comparisons to Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel have surfaced, which earned $670 million at the box office in 2013.

Film critic, Johnny Oleksinski from The New York Post wrote,

“You can tell from every second of the sequel just how disinterested DC Studios is in this film and in the future of this character. It must’ve been a real chore for them to finish the choppy follow-up to the popular 2018 original.”

Likewise, even fans were undivided on the matter on social media. A Twitter post chipped in a riveting insight on DCEU’s decade-old run, claiming Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel was the best the franchise ever had. The caption read,

“10 years and DCEU never topped Zack Snyder’s MAN OF STEEL”

This sparked a whole other discussion on the greatest DC movies in the comments section.

Fans debate the best DC movie ever made

Hollywood actor Henry Cavill

Despite the disappointment surrounding Aquaman 2, fans have reaffirmed their appreciation for other DC films, particularly highlighting Suicide Squad and Zack Snyder’s Justice League as favorites, with some also praising Man of Steel. This retrospective reflection on the best of DC movies serves as a reminder of the franchise’s past successes amidst its current challenges.

Interestingly, the underperformance of Aquaman 2 has sparked renewed interest in Superman star Henry Cavill, suggesting a potential resurgence in popularity for the actor. As 2024 approaches, fans hold onto hope for the DC franchise, anticipating a revitalization under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. With their concerted efforts, there’s optimism that DC will regain its footing and reclaim its status as a powerhouse in the superhero genre.