Jason Momoa Suffers Crushing Defeat to Timothée Chalamet: Aquaman 2 Continues to Struggle at Box Office
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom continues the aquatic adventures of Arthur Curry, reprised by the charismatic Jason Momoa, following the narrative set by its predecessor, the 2018 blockbuster Aquaman. Despite the high anticipation surrounding the sequel, the movie has encountered a considerable challenge at the box office, facing stiff competition from Timothée Chalamet’s much-anticipated film, Wonka.
As the holiday season unfolded, the competition intensified, with both movies fiercely vying for the top spot, resulting in a neck-and-neck race during the bustling New Year weekend. Surprisingly, Wonka surged in popularity, threatening to surpass Aquaman 2 and claim the coveted leading position at the box office. The clash between these cinematic giants has heightened the intrigue among movie enthusiasts and industry analysts alike.
Wonka Claims Holiday Victory Over Aquaman 2 and Competitors
During the New Year weekend, the already fierce box office competition intensified as Wonka, featuring Timothée Chalamet, ascended to the top, surpassing both The Color Purple and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Warner Bros. solidified its dominance by securing three of the top five slots in the domestic box office throughout the entire holiday season.
The musical spectacle led by Timothée Chalamet has garnered a remarkable $281.8 million in global earnings to date, solidifying its position as a standout cinematic attraction. Directed by Paul King, Wonka swiftly emerged as the preferred choice for theatergoers during the festive holidays.
#Wonka looks to claim the top spot this weekend over #AquamanAndTheLostKingdom
‘WONKA’ has earned $281.8M worldwide and looks to cross $300M this weekend
— Geek Vibes Nation (@GeekVibesNation) December 30, 2023
This holiday lineup featured a myriad of compelling titles vying for audience attention, including the newer releases such as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, The Color Purple, Anyone but You, The Iron Claw, Ferrari, and Migration. Amidst this competitive landscape, the sequel to Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa, found itself locked in a persistent struggle against the resounding popularity of Chalamet’s Wonka.
The Timothée Chalamet-led musical continued its remarkable ascent, raking in an additional $8.6 million on Friday, marking a notable 32% increase from its earnings just one week prior. Paul King’s film remained the audience favorite, surging past the $100 million mark domestically earlier in the week. With a cumulative total of $119 million and counting, the film exhibits unwavering strength, poised to effortlessly cross the $300 million global milestone before the year concludes.
Jason Momoa’s Aquaman Sequel Faces Disappointing Performance at The Box Office
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom faces a disappointing trajectory at the box office, marking the final chapter of the original DC Extended Universe. Despite a hefty budget of $205 million, the film grapples with a challenging cinematic landscape.
Also Read: Aquaman 2 Has One Silver Lining to its Terrible Box-Office Run That Even Eclipses Black Panther 2
Following a domestic opening weekend that garnered $27.7 million, the superhero installment seems ensnared in turbulent waters, experiencing a significant downturn. Friday’s earnings plummeted to $6.75 million, reflecting a stark 51 percent drop from its initial day’s box office performance. With a current global tally of $138.5 million, the film inches toward crossing the $150 million mark this weekend (via X).
Despite its status as a major superhero spectacle, Aquaman 2 has faltered, slipping to the third position consecutively. The movie’s financial goalpost looms at $400 million worldwide to break even, a milestone that appears increasingly challenging to achieve.
