Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is widely considered a flop.
Financial Performance Analysis
To determine a film's financial success, it's crucial to look beyond just the production budget and compare it to the worldwide box office gross, while also considering additional costs like marketing and distribution.
Against a production budget ranging from $205 million to $215 million, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom garnered a worldwide gross of $439 million.
Industry experts generally estimate that a major Hollywood film needs to earn at least 2 to 2.5 times its production budget at the box office just to break even, once marketing, distribution, and other associated costs are accounted for. For Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, this would mean needing to gross roughly $410 million to $537.5 million to cover all expenses and potentially start making a profit.
Here's a breakdown of the key financial metrics:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $205–215 million |
| Worldwide Gross | $439 million |
| Critical Reception | Negative Reviews |
While the worldwide gross of $439 million technically surpassed the lower end of the production budget multiplied by two, it falls considerably short of the higher end of the typical break-even range for a blockbuster of this scale. Factoring in substantial marketing and distribution expenses, which can often add another 50% to 100% on top of the production budget, the film likely lost money for the studio.
Critical Reception and Audience Impact
Further contributing to its classification as a flop, the film received negative reviews from critics. A lack of critical acclaim can often impact audience turnout and overall box office performance, especially for sequels in established franchises.
Conclusion on Performance
Considering its significant budget, the modest worldwide gross that failed to cover estimated total costs (including marketing), and the generally negative critical reception, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom did not achieve the financial or critical success needed to be deemed a hit. Instead, it represents a notable financial disappointment for the studio.
