The Christmas box office didn’t bring much cheer to Hollywood, particularly with the underwhelming performance of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Starring Jason Momoa and directed by James Wan, the DC sequel fell short of expectations, earning $27.7 million over the weekend and $40 million over the four-day holiday period. Given its hefty $205 million budget, the film joins other Warner Bros. and DC titles such as The Flash, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and Blue Beetle in a series of recent box office disappointments.
Despite topping other new releases like Migration, Anyone but You, and The Iron Claw, Aquaman 2 struggles in a competitive market. It’s a challenging time for superhero movies, with China’s reduced interest in Hollywood films and the impending reset of the DC Extended Universe, potentially excluding Momoa’s character.
Warner Bros.’ Wonka secured second place, with Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Willy Wonka bringing in $18 million over the weekend and $28 million by Monday. The film has made a total of $254.9 million globally.
Migration, an animated film about adventurous ducks, took third place, earning $12.4 million over the weekend and $17.5 million by Monday. Despite its modest start, the film is hoped to have lasting appeal like other family movies.
Actually enjoyed Aquaman 2. Don’t know why it’s not doing well in theaters. pic.twitter.com/Aw9JTiUVJF
— The Nerd Cave (@TheRealNerdCave) December 24, 2023
Sony’s Anyone but You had a disappointing debut at fourth place, with a weekend take of $5.8 million and $8 million over four days. The Iron Claw, a sports biopic about the tragic Von Erich wrestling family, ranked sixth, earning $4.8 million over the weekend and $7.5 million by Monday.
Overall, it’s been a lackluster holiday season at the box office, with no surprise hits or potential blockbusters despite a variety of new releases. Movie theater owners remain hopeful about the volume of films available, anticipating a stronger start to 2024. Source
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