Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom: An Epic Undersea Adventure
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
is a 2023 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Produced by DC Films, Atomic Monster, and The Safran Company, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a sequel to the 2018 film Aquaman and the sixth installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film is directed by James Wan and written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. It stars Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman, alongside Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Kidman, and Dolph Lundgren. In the film, Aquaman must once again unite the seven kingdoms of Atlantis to stop a new threat from destroying the surface world.
The film was released in the United States on March 17, 2023. It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its visual effects, action sequences, and Momoa's performance, but criticism for its screenplay and lack of originality. The film has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2023.
Plot
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom picks up five years after the events of the first film. Arthur Curry / Aquaman (Jason Momoa) has ascended to the throne of Atlantis and is now married to Mera (Amber Heard). However, their peace is soon shattered when a new threat emerges from the depths of the ocean.
A group of Atlanteans, led by the warlord Orm (Patrick Wilson), have discovered a powerful weapon that could destroy the surface world. Aquaman must once again unite the seven kingdoms of Atlantis to stop Orm and his forces from unleashing this weapon.
Cast
- Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman
- Amber Heard as Mera
- Patrick Wilson as Orm / Ocean Master
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as David Kane / Black Manta
- Temuera Morrison as Thomas Curry
- Nicole Kidman as Atlanna
- Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus
- Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin
- Vincent Regan as Atlan
- Jani Zhao as Stingray
- Indya Moore as Karshon
- Pilou Asbæk as Turok
- Kristofer Hivju as King Nereus's advisor
- Graham McTavish as Atlantean soldier
Production
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was announced in January 2019, with James Wan returning to direct. The film's screenplay was written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, from a story by Wan and Johnson-McGoldrick. Principal photography began in June 2021 and wrapped in January 2022. The film was shot in various locations around the world, including Hawaii, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Release
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was released in the United States on March 17, 2023. It was released in IMAX, 3D, and Dolby Cinema. The film was also released in RealD 3D and 4DX in select theaters.
Reception
Box office
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2023. The film grossed over $500 million in North America and over $500 million in international markets.
Critical reception
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom received mixed reviews from critics. The film was praised for its visual effects, action sequences, and Momoa's performance, but criticized for its screenplay and lack of originality. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 67% approval rating based on 386 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a visually stunning sequel that delivers more of the same underwater action and adventure, even if its story doesn't tread much new ground." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 59 out of 100, based on 52 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
Accolades
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has been nominated for several awards, including:
- Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
- BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects
- Critics' Choice Award for Best Visual Effects
- Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Grammy Award for Best Original Song for "Lift Me Up"
Sequel
A sequel to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is in development. The film is scheduled to be released on March 17, 2025.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
is a 2023 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Produced by DC Films, Atomic Monster, and The Safran Company, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a sequel to the 2018 film Aquaman and the sixth installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film is directed by James Wan and written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. It stars Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman, alongside Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Kidman, and Dolph Lundgren. In the film, Aquaman must once again unite the seven kingdoms of Atlantis to stop a new threat from destroying the surface world.
The film was released in the United States on March 17, 2023. It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its visual effects, action sequences, and Momoa's performance, but criticism for its screenplay and lack of originality. The film has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2023.
Plot
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom picks up five years after the events of the first film. Arthur Curry / Aquaman (Jason Momoa) has ascended to the throne of Atlantis and is now married to Mera (Amber Heard). However, their peace is soon shattered when a new threat emerges from the depths of the ocean.
A group of Atlanteans, led by the warlord Orm (Patrick Wilson), have discovered a powerful weapon that could destroy the surface world. Aquaman must once again unite the seven kingdoms of Atlantis to stop Orm and his forces from unleashing this weapon.
Cast
- Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman
- Amber Heard as Mera
- Patrick Wilson as Orm / Ocean Master
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as David Kane / Black Manta
- Temuera Morrison as Thomas Curry
- Nicole Kidman as Atlanna
- Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus
- Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin
- Vincent Regan as Atlan
- Jani Zhao as Stingray
- Indya Moore as Karshon
- Pilou Asbæk as Turok
- Kristofer Hivju as King Nereus's advisor
- Graham McTavish as Atlantean soldier
Production
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was announced in January 2019, with James Wan returning to direct. The film's screenplay was written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, from a story by Wan and Johnson-McGoldrick. Principal photography began in June 2021 and wrapped in January 2022. The film was shot in various locations around the world, including Hawaii, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Release
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was released in the United States on March 17, 2023. It was released in IMAX, 3D, and Dolby Cinema. The film was also released in RealD 3D and 4DX in select theaters.
Reception
Box office
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2023. The film grossed over $500 million in North America and over $500 million in international markets.
Critical reception
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom received mixed reviews from critics. The film was praised for its visual effects, action sequences, and Momoa's performance, but criticized for its screenplay and lack of originality. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 67% approval rating based on 386 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a visually stunning sequel that delivers more of the same underwater action and adventure, even if its story doesn't tread much new ground." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 59 out of 100, based on 52 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
Accolades
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has been nominated for several awards, including:
- Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
- BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects
- Critics' Choice Award for Best Visual Effects
- Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Grammy Award for Best Original Song for "Lift Me Up"
Sequel
A sequel to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is in development. The film is scheduled to be released on March 17, 2025.
