Why Aquaman, Despite Being an Unpopular Character, Became DC's Highest-Grossing Film

Is Aquaman an unpopular character, or is the DC Universe simply missing on the opportunity to truly resonate with Aquaman's potential? In this article, we delve into the factors that contributed to the unexpected success of the 2018 Aquaman film, alongside the recent disappointment of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,

Popularity Amidst a Sea of Superheroes

Interestingly, when it comes to superhero universes like the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), the popularity of characters can be a subjective measure. A little experiment on Quora reveals some interesting insights. While Batman has over 473,000 followers, Superman has just over 300,000, and Wonder Woman has nearly 80,000, Aquaman falls just below the radar with around 22,000 followers. This ranking suggests that while Aquaman may not be the most popular, there is still a dedicated fanbase.

Cinematic Success and Financial Reality

The 2018 Aquaman film faced a daunting challenge with a massive production budget of 160 million dollars and an additional promotional budget between 100 and 150 million dollars. This sums up to a total investment of around 260 to 310 million dollars. To break even, the film needed to gross between 520 and 620 million dollars in box office revenue. The film's gross of 1.14 billion dollars may sound impressive, but it's crucial to remember that this is the gross revenue. Factoring in the theatrical distribution costs, which typically range from 40 to 50%, means the film's net revenue is around 571 million dollars. Given the hefty production and promotional costs, this amount would have been a mere success at best, and could very well be classified as a minor failure.

Moving on to the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the situation is quite dire. With a production budget of 205 million and an additional promotional budget of approximately 150 million, the total investment is around 355 million dollars. To break even, this film needs to gross around 710 million dollars. Yet, after just three weeks in theaters, it has only managed to bring in 388.8 million dollars, leaving it far from breaking even.

The Disappointing Road Ahead for DCEU

The repeated box office disappointments of other films like Black Adam, Shazam Fury of the Gods, and The Flash have put the future of the DCEU under scrutiny. Warner Bros. Entertainment (WB) is not in a position to sustain such financial losses. This worrying trend raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the DCEU.

Conclusion: A Mixed Bag

While the 2018 Aquaman film had its flaws, it deserves some recognition for its box office performance. The film managed to connect with audiences, although the second installment Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has fallen short in terms of both critical acclaim and box office results. The predictability of the plot and unfavorable pacing contributed to its underwhelming success. Nonetheless, the first film's critical reception and audience engagement prove that there is a significant untapped potential in Aquaman, which could lead to better results in the future if mitigated by strong storytelling and character development.

Ultimately, the success of Aquaman in the franchise wars is a testament to the power of a dedicated fanbase and the potential for unexpected box office hits. Despite its lower popularity compared to other DC superheroes, Aquaman managed to become the highest-grossing film of the DCEU, offering both a surprise and an important lesson for the future of superhero cinema.