Jason Momoa’s $215 Million Fantasy Flop Is a Sudden Streaming Hit

Jason Momoa’s $215 Million Fantasy Flop Is a Sudden Streaming Hit Jason Momoa smiling on the red carpetImage via Dave Bedrosian/Future Image/Cover Images By  Rahul Malhotra Published 30 minutes ago Rahul Malhotra is a Weekend News Writer for Collider. From Francois Ozon to David Fincher, he'll watch anything once.

He has been writing for Collider for over two years, and has covered everything from Marvel to the Oscars, and Marvel at the Oscars. He also writes obsessively about the box office, charting the many hits and misses that are released weekly, and how their commercial performance shapes public perception. In his time at Collider, he has also helped drive diversity by writing stories about the multiple Indian film industries, with a goal to introduce audiences to a whole new world of cinema. 

Swing and a miss > measured victory. Also, #JusticeForHan. (He/Him). Sign in to your Collider account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Against all odds, the first Aquaman movie emerged as a runaway hit in 2018, grossing over $1 billion at the worldwide box office and becoming the biggest film based on a DC character. The superhero movie made more money than The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, both of which cracked the coveted $1 billion mark themselves. Fast-tracking a sequel was a no-brainer for Warner Bros., which had been struggling to compete with Disney's rival Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. However, by the time Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was released, the DC Extended Universe had been all but abandoned by the studio. Despite the unfortunate circumstances behind the film's production and eventual theatrical debut, Aquaman 2 has been witnessing an unexpected spike in viewership at home recently.

According to FlixPatrol, the film was among the 10 most-watched titles on the domestic Netflix charts over the weekend, when the leader board was topped by Jingle Bell Heist. Released in 2023, the movie debuted after it was already common knowledge that the DCEU would be rebooted, and that star Jason Momoa would probably never play the superhero again. Momoa was himself rather candid about the situation during the film's publicity tour, which ended with a special fan screening, and, crucially, no proper premiere. Directed by James Wan, who also helmed the first Aquaman movie, the sequel survived a turbulent production, only to gross around $600 million less than its predecessor.

Jason Momoa Is Returning to the Superhero Genre

The success of the first Aquaman suggested that there was an audience for the DCEU, despite the divisive reactions to the franchise's first few movies — Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. But by the time the sequel was released, it was game over for the franchise. Aquaman 2 grossed around $440 million worldwide against a budget that has been reported to be as high as $215 million. The movie earned mediocre reviews, and is now sitting at a 33% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, "Jason Momoa remains a capable and committed leading man, but even DC diehards may feel that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom sticks to familiar waters." There's no denying, however, that fans loved Momoa in the role; they've awarded Aquaman 2 a healthy 79% score on RT.

Momoa is coming off the blockbuster A Minecraft Movie, and is expected to debut as Lobo in the upcoming DCU film Supergirl. You can watch Aquaman 2 at home, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

5 10

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Like Follow Followed PG-13 Action Adventure Fantasy Release Date December 22, 2023 Runtime 124 minutes Director James Wan Writers David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, James Wan, Mort Weisinger, Paul Norris, Thomas Pa'a Sibbett, Jason Momoa Producers Peter Safran, Rob Cowan, James Wan

Cast

See All

• Jason Momoa Arthur
• Patrick Wilson Orm

Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman, embarks on an epic quest to a mysterious lost kingdom that could hold the key to saving Atlantis from a looming danger. Teaming up with allies old and new, he faces powerful adversaries and uncovers secrets long buried beneath the ocean's depths.

Genres Action, Adventure, Fantasy Powered by Expand Collapse

• Movie News
• Jason Momoa
• Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Follow Followed Like Share Facebook X WhatsApp Threads Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Copy link Email Close Thread Sign in to your Collider account

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.

Your comment has not been saved

Send confirmation email

This thread is open for discussion.

Be the first to post your thoughts.

• Terms
• Privacy
• Feedback

Recommended 2 hours ago

After Almost 10 Years, the Real Reason ’Stranger Things’ Is Ending With Season 5 Will Change How You See the Finale

17 hours ago

Will Smith's Critically Panned Sci-Fi Movie Crash-Lands on a New Streamer

17 hours ago

With 'The Running Man' in Theaters, Edgar Wright's Beloved Crime Comedy Debuts on a New Streamer

2 hours ago

Collider’s Next FYC Event Is Rian Johnson's 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' With a Q&A

What To Watch

July 20, 2025 The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now Trending Now ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’s Latest Twist Is Finally Explaining Pennywise’s Surprising Origin Story New Harry Potter Star Breaks His Silence on Daniel Radcliffe's Advice Rachel Zegler Auditioned To Play This Musical Legend — but the Actress Who Got the Part Received an Oscar Nomination