Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Assumptions for the Jason Momoa starrer DC filmAquaman 2had been diverse due to the original film’s performance and the current state of the DC Studios. However, as the movie finally hit theatres ahead of Christmas, it also seemed to face challenges at the box office. The film is projected to gross from $38 million to $40 million in its domestic opening, trailing behind Brie Larson’sThe Marvels, which recorded a domestic opening of $47 million.
Its projected box office opening has sparked discussions among DC and Marvel fans, with the MCU enthusiasts questioning the criticism surroundingThe Marvels, comparing it to the relatively subtle reaction toAquaman 2’spoor performance at the box office.
Read More:“Mera’s story is the heart of the film”: Amber Heard Fans Watching Aquaman 2 #OnlyForMera
Aquaman 2AndThe Marvelsat the Box Office
BothAquamanandCaptain Marvelhave been among some of the most successful movies in their respective franchises, grossing over $1 billion at the box office. However, their sequels have struggled to follow up on the same path.The Marvelsrecorded the lowest opening in the MCU, with an estimated $47 million.
Aquaman 2also recorded a significant drop from the 2018 film, making from $27 million to $28 million in its three-day opening weekend. However, unlike theBrie Larsonstarrer,Aquaman and the Lost Kingdomhas found its footing in the international market.
WhileThe Marvelsstruggled overseas with $63 million in its opening weekend, theJason Momoastarrer hasgrossed$80 million at the international box office. Although both sequels have fallen short of expectations,Aquaman 2’sstronger international performance gives it a slight edge over the MCU movie.
As theAquamansequel continues its box office run, fans of Marvel and DC are now engaging in debates about the contrasting treatment of these underperforming films that have struggled to meet expectations at the box office.
Read More:“It’s shameful what they did to his film”: Critics Blame Aquaman 2 Reshoots For Ruining Jason Momoa’s Potential Final DCEU Movie
Marvel and DC Fans Debate OverAquaman 2AndThe Marvels
FollowingAquaman 2’srelease, a Twitter user pointed out how the DC film has been underperforming“both critically and financially.”The DC sequel holds a 35% critic score, with the audience giving it a 79% score as compared to the 61% critic score and 83% audience score forThe Marvels.
The conversation also extended to how a female-led Marvel movie was heavily criticized for its lackluster performance, but that has not been the case for Jason Momoa’s DC film.“Aquaman 2 is performing noticeably worse than The Marvels,”said Twitter userDavid Opiebefore adding,“yet I don’t see any hit pieces from the trades when it comes to the movie starring a man…”
As others joined in on the conversation, claiming the same, many argued against it. People stated how the situations have been drastically different for both the movies. While the MCU is set to follow up on the franchise it has established throughout the past decade,Aquaman 2is the last film in the DCEU.
Read More:Aquaman 2 Box Office Collection: Can Jason Momoa and Amber Heard’s DCU Movie Cross $1 Billion Mark Again?
Both critically and financially, Aquaman 2 is performing noticeably worse than The Marvels. They’re both sequels to billion dollar blockbusters yet I don’t see any hit pieces from the trades when it comes to the movie starring a man…The math ain’t mathing 🤔pic.twitter.com/ftu65W6mUf
— David Opie (@DavidOpie)August 10, 2025
…I don’t know if you know this…But the DCEU literally just died and this is the last movie from this series of films… there’s nothing to say. Marvel is still a thriving brand, so when it’s has a big bomb it gets noticed and talked about more. It’s not that complex.
— The Wanderer (@VenturaWanderer)August 10, 2025
So Aquaman 2 is pulling similar numbers to The Marvels. When can I expect the “maybe wokeness was never the reason why these things fail” discourse? Or heck, I’ll settle for “wokeness killed the DCEU,” that’d be interesting to see somebody try to spin.
cricketspic.twitter.com/rSEXG7NbAh
— Council of Geeks (@councilofgeeks)June 30, 2025
the marvels was the first major financial disaster for the MCU and aquaman 2 is the eighth DCEU film in a row to bomb at the box office. all this discourse over mid superhero movies that no one cares about is as exhausting as the movies themselves.https://t.co/ITrQMpQHNZ
— gavin (@GavinKane15)June 03, 2025
Aquaman 2 “flopped” and yet I don’t see a parade in the streets like when The Marvels underperformed.
Both were sequels to billion dollar movies… what’s the difference?https://t.co/8gEQWBSx3s
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD)July 21, 2025
Nobody is saying anything about Aquaman 2 box office because the trend for DCEU movie has been downwards for quite some time now. The movie is behaving as expected.
The Marvels marks a new era for MCU blockbusters. An era where Marvel doesn’t mean an automatic win.
— Sharon (@Sharito742)August 05, 2025
@Nerdroticsintriguing how you banged on endlessly about the marvels bombing but aquaman 2 is doing levels worse and not a peep from you 🤔
Is it….because its a male led film? 🤔🤔pic.twitter.com/tA1EamMbCV
— Jack James (@jackjames139)June 02, 2025
The difference is that WB sent Aquaman 2 out to die and just wants to move on to James Gunn’s DCU.
The Marvels is the MCU’s first financial disaster and showed that the MCU is no longer bulletproof.
I don’t know why this is so hard to figure out; especially for someone like…https://t.co/0lEATn8G3Z
— The Moonlight Warrior 🌙 (@BlackMajikMan90)July 22, 2025
Apart from that, they also stated howThe Marvelsrecorded the lowest opening for the MCU, a franchise that has been known for dominating the box office. However, DCEU has been on a downward spiral for quite some time, which has been evident in movies likeBlack Adam, The Flash,andShazam 2.
Aquaman 2is playing in theatres.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
