2 Years On, A Criminally Underrated DC Flop Is Taking Netflix By Storm

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Despite talk of audiences getting tired of superhero movies, streaming services are giving a second life to films that didn’t perform well in theaters, and one DC movie is benefiting from this trend. DC films faced challenges towards the end of Zack Snyder’s involvement. As Snyder’s creative control diminished and he eventually left the franchise, several of the later DCEU movies failed to succeed at the box office. Some fans felt hesitant to invest in films knowing a reboot was likely, while others missed the darker, more intense style of Snyder’s previous work. Ultimately, the DCEU struggled to attract viewers during this period.

Despite initial challenges, movies like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are finding new life thanks to streaming services such as Netflix. Currently, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the second most popular movie on Netflix, according to Flix Patrol, trailing only Jingle Bell Heist. It began streaming on November 28th and quickly reached the number one spot, where it has remained in second place ever since.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a Huge Netflix Success

DC movies are usually available on HBO Max, but lately, they’ve been appearing on other streaming services. This was especially notable with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which ended up on Netflix. It’s joined by Blue Beetle, another well-received but overlooked DC film that was popular on Netflix recently. These were the last two movies released under the original DC Extended Universe before Warner Bros. decided to restart the franchise with James Gunn in charge.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom marked the end of the DC Extended Universe film series. Director James Wan and star Jason Momoa returned for this final installment. The movie features the return of Mantis, who seeks revenge and unleashes a threat that could wipe out Atlantis and the entire planet. Aquaman must team up with his brother, Orm (played by Patrick Wilson), for one last battle to save the world.

I was genuinely surprised by how well the first Aquaman did – over $1.1 billion worldwide! But the sequel really struggled. Knowing it was the last movie in the old DCEU, and with so much uncertainty about where DC films were headed after Zack Snyder left, it made less than half of what the first one earned. It brought in around $440 million globally, with a production budget of about $215 million, and only $124 million of that came from North America, which meant it was considered a flop. Critics didn’t love it either – it only got a 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, though, fans seemed to enjoy it much more – they gave it a 79% rating, and I think that’s why it’s doing so well on Netflix right now.

What is Next for Aquaman?

Jason Momoa won’t be continuing as Aquaman in the new DC Universe. James Gunn has offered him the role of Lobo, which seems like a great match. Currently, there’s no indication Aquaman will be included in the DCU’s future plans. Superman has already had a successful solo film, and projects featuring Green Lantern (coming in 2026) and Wonder Woman are also being developed. A Batman movie is planned, but it will probably be released after the next film starring Robert Pattinson. As for the other major Justice League members, there have been no updates on Aquaman or the Flash.

Currently, the DC Universe’s only confirmed movie releases are Supergirl on July 26, 2026, Clayface on September 11, 2026, and Man of Tomorrow on July 9, 2027. As for television, Lanterns is scheduled to premiere in late 2026.

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2025-12-01 20:11