Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the final film in Warner Bros.' decade-long DC Extended Universe, takes the lead in its debut weekend. Helmed by James Wan and featuring Jason Momoa, Aquaman 2 is anticipated to have an extended four-day debut of just under $40 million, falling approximately $3 million short of initial projections.

Aquaman 2 brings an end to a less-than-stellar period in recent cinema, concluding a string of disappointments from DC this year, including Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Blue Beetle, and The Flash. The three-day box office figures for the movie align with Blue Beetle's $25 million debut and Shazam 2's $30 million debut, significantly trailing The Flash's impressive $55 million opening. Despite the varied performances, Warner Bros. can take pride in securing the top two positions on the domestic chart for the weekend.

There are various factors that likely contributed to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's underwhelming performance at the box office. Certain DC fans had expressed intentions to boycott the Aquaman sequel, citing Amber Heard's involvement. A petition signed by millions called for her removal amid her legal dispute with Johnny Depp. Additionally, some viewers may have opted to skip the film, feeling that further investment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) was unnecessary, especially considering the conclusion of this timeline as James Gunn and Peter Safran usher in the DC Universe (DCU).

Prior to the premiere of his new movie, Jason Momoa expressed some uncertainty about reprising the role of Aquaman. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, he stated, "The truth of it is, I mean, if the audience loves it, then there's a possibility. But right now, I’m like, 'It's not looking too good.'"