Has the DC Extended Universe ever worked? Between all the revised and canceled projects, there was always a glimmer of hope like Wonder Woman, which almost single-handedly took over the Warner-based franchise brought on course. Ultimately, however, the negative headlines increased.
Even in the last gasps of the DCEU, there is little good to report. One awaits as the finale another box office defeat. After three DC blockbusters already flopped this year, the numbers for Aquaman: Lost Kingdom are now collapsing. Two musicals steal the show from the expensive underwater spectacle.
The last DC defeat: The color purple knocks Aquaman 2 off the box office throne with record numbers
As the Hollywood Reporter reports, the musical adaptation The Color Purple turned out to be a surprise success at the box office. The film opened with pride in the USA on December 26, 2023 $18 million on the big screen and immediately took away the top position in the box office charts from DC’s Aquarius.
Aquaman: Lost Kingdom, which opened in the US on December 22, 2023, was with it only at number 1 for three days represent. And even the opening numbers are nothing compared to The Color Purple: Jason Momoa’s DC return only came in at just under $14 million in the USA. He also faces another competitor.
No golden ticket for Aquaman: Willy Wonka steals the show from Jason Momoa’s DC hero
Wonka, also a musical, has been in cinemas in the USA for two weeks and is exciting. Where the traction of many films decreases significantly after the opening weekend, Wonka keeps himself stable. Apparently the word has gotten out that Paddington director Paul King has made the perfect family film for the holidays.
On December 28, 2023, Wonka even reached the top of the cinema charts again. The DC sequel must therefore be the same two musicals beaten. A clear signal: Superhero films are no longer sure-fire successes at the box office. The days when Aquaman could gross a billion US dollars are over.