“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” Release Date Shifts to Boost Holiday Box Office Numbers
In a strategic move, Warner Bros. has decided to shift the release date of the highly anticipated DC sequel, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” Originally scheduled for December 20, the film will now hit theaters on Friday, December 22, this year, just in time for the Christmas holiday.
This decision comes as no surprise considering the massive success of the first “Aquaman” movie back in 2018. The superhero flick became the highest-grossing DC movie of all time, raking in an impressive $1.15 billion at the box office. The initial release of the film included previews on Saturday and Wednesday, followed by an official opening on a Friday, which resulted in over $105 million in domestic box office earnings by Christmas Day.
By shifting the release date closer to the Christmas holiday on Monday, Warner Bros. hopes to capture a larger audience and generate higher ticket sales during the four-day holiday weekend. The move aims to take advantage of the peak movie-going season when people are looking for entertainment options.
With the success of the first installment, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” has big shoes to fill. The film is expected to continue the thrilling underwater adventures of Aquaman, played by Jason Momoa. Despite the date change, fans’ excitement remains intact as they eagerly anticipate the sequel.
On another note, director Barry Levinson’s upcoming project, previously titled “Wise Guys” and starring Robert De Niro as twin mobsters, has also gone through some changes. The film is now called “Alto Knights” and has been moved from a February 2, 2023 release date to November 15, 2024. This move is part of the larger shift in the film industry due to the ongoing actors’ strike, which has caused several delays and reshuffling of release dates.
Meanwhile, Apple Original Films’ action-packed movie “For Argy,” directed by Matthew Vaughn, is set to fill the void left by “Alto Knights” on February 2, 2023. Universal Pictures will be distributing the film and has decided to promote it by attaching the trailer to the highly anticipated movie “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
While these release date changes may cause some disappointment for fans, they are ultimately strategic decisions aimed at maximizing box office numbers and ensuring the success of these highly anticipated films. As the film industry continues to adapt to the ongoing challenges posed by the actors’ strike, studios are finding innovative ways to navigate through the ever-changing landscape.
In the end, moviegoers can look forward to an action-packed holiday season with the release of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” just days before Christmas, promising thrilling adventures and breathtaking underwater visuals that are sure to captivate audiences worldwide.