5 Must-See Movies for Fans of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 blockbuster Aquaman, hit theaters in December 2023, taking audiences on another thrilling journey through the wondrous and perilous realms beneath the ocean’s surface. Directed by James Wan and starring Jason Momoa as the charismatic King of Atlantis, the film expanded the DC Extended Universe with new mythical locations, formidable foes, and breathtaking underwater spectacles.

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Set four years after the events of the first film, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom finds Arthur Curry facing new challenges as both the King of Atlantis and a father. When a long-imprisoned evil is unleashed, threatening the safety of both the surface world and the underwater kingdoms, Arthur must reunite with his brother Orm to embark on a perilous quest. Their mission takes them to the lost kingdom of Necrus, where they battle the forces of Black Manta and the powerful spirit of Kordax in a bid to save their world.

Though not as successful as its predecessor at the box office, grossing $434.4 million worldwide on a budget of $205-215 million, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom still performed respectably as the DCEU concluded. Critical reviews were mixed, with praise for Momoa and Patrick Wilson’s performances and the film’s visual spectacle, but some criticism of the plot and reduced role of Amber Heard’s character Mera.

With the future of the Aquaman franchise uncertain as DC Studios transitions leadership, now is the perfect time to explore other cinematic adventures that capture the spirit of this aquatic superhero epic. From animated classics to live-action thrillers, these five films offer captivating stories, stunning visuals, and the allure of the mysterious deep.

1. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) – A Journey to a Fabled Civilization

Atlantis: The Lost Empire, an underrated gem from Disney’s animated canon, shares Aquaman‘s fascination with ancient underwater civilizations. Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, the creative minds behind Beauty and the Beast and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, this film follows Milo Thatch, a young linguist and cartographer who joins a daring expedition to locate the legendary lost city of Atlantis.

As Milo and his crew, including the resolute Commander Rourke and the spirited Princess Kida, navigate the perils of the deep, they uncover not only the breathtaking wonders of Atlantis but also its dark secrets. With its blend of science fiction, fantasy, and Jules Verne-inspired adventure, Atlantis: The Lost Empire delivers a thrilling and visually stunning journey that echoes the sense of discovery and peril found in Aquaman.

2. Clash of the Titans (2010) – Mythic Battles and Heroic Quests

For fans drawn to Aquaman‘s epic scale and mythological underpinnings, Clash of the Titans offers a grand spectacle of gods, heroes, and monsters. Loosely based on the classic 1981 film of the same name, this 2010 remake directed by Louis Leterrier pits mortal heroes against the capricious whims of the gods.

Sam Worthington stars as Perseus, a demigod and son of Zeus, who must embark on a perilous quest to save humanity from the wrath of the vengeful god Hades. As Perseus battles fearsome creatures like the monstrous Kraken and navigates treacherous mythical landscapes, the film delivers pulse-pounding action and awe-inspiring visuals. While its underwater sequences may be less prominent than those in Aquaman, Clash of the Titans shares a sense of mythic grandeur and the timeless struggle between humans and the divine.

3. Pacific Rim (2013) – Colossal Battles Beneath the Waves

Directed by Oscar-winner Guillermo del Toro, Pacific Rim crafts a unique and thrilling vision of an Earth under siege by gargantuan monsters known as Kaiju, which emerge from an interdimensional rift beneath the Pacific Ocean. To combat this existential threat, humanity creates equally colossal robotic warriors called Jaegers, each piloted by two mentally-linked operators.

While Pacific Rim may not delve as deeply into undersea realms as Aquaman, it delivers jaw-dropping battles between Kaiju and Jaegers that often sprawl across (and beneath) the ocean’s surface. The film’s central characters, Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam) and Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi), forge a bond as Jaeger co-pilots, adding emotional depth to the film’s grand-scale conflicts. With its innovative premise, stunning visual effects, and del Toro’s signature flair for world-building, Pacific Rim offers a unique take on the aquatic adventure genre.

4. The Abyss (1989) – A Voyage Into Uncharted Depths

Directed by James Cameron, The Abyss is a science fiction thriller that combines deep-sea exploration with a haunting encounter with the unknown. Set in the near future, the film follows a team of oil drillers and Navy SEALs who are sent to assist a civilian underwater drilling platform after a U.S. nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks nearby.

As the team, led by the tenacious Virgil “Bud” Brigman (Ed Harris) and the determined Dr. Lindsey Brigman (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), ventures into the abyss, they encounter a series of increasingly perilous challenges, from equipment malfunctions to the psychological strains of isolation. But the greatest mystery lies in the depths themselves, as the team discovers evidence of an intelligent alien presence that could change the course of human history.

With its claustrophobic underwater setting, groundbreaking visual effects, and thought-provoking themes, The Abyss is a mesmerizing journey into both the ocean’s depths and the human psyche. While its tone and pacing differ from the more action-oriented Aquaman, Cameron’s film shares a fascination with the wonders and dangers that lurk beneath the waves, making it a must-watch for fans of aquatic science fiction.

5. Finding Nemo (2003) – An Unforgettable Underwater Odyssey

Pixar’s Finding Nemo may not feature the epic battles or mythical kingdoms of Aquaman, but it remains one of the most beloved and visually stunning animated films set in the ocean’s depths. Directed by Andrew Stanton, this heartwarming tale follows Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks), a clownfish who embarks on a desperate journey across the sea to find his lost son, Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould).

Along the way, Marlin reluctantly teams up with Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly but forgetful blue tang fish, and encounters a colourful cast of characters, from laid-back sea turtles to vegetarian sharks. As Marlin and Dory navigate the perils of the Great Barrier Reef and beyond, the film showcases the breath-taking beauty and diversity of marine life, with Pixar’s signature attention to detail and emotional resonance.

While Finding Nemo may be more lighthearted than Aquaman, it shares a deep love and respect for the ocean and its inhabitants. Its touching story, memorable characters, and stunning animation make it a timeless classic that appeals to audiences of all ages, reminding us of the wonders that await beneath the waves.

Conclusion: A Sea of Cinematic Wonders

From mythical quests to heartwarming journeys, these five films offer a diverse array of aquatic adventures that capture the spirit of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Whether you’re diving into the lost city of Atlantis, battling alongside demigods and monsters, piloting colossal robots against undersea threats, exploring uncharted depths, or searching for a lost loved one, each of these movies promises to transport you to mesmerizing worlds beneath the waves.

As Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom serves as a fittingly epic, if imperfect, conclusion to Arthur Curry’s journey in the DCEU, these films remind us of the enduring allure of the ocean in cinema. They invite us to embrace the wonder, the danger, and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface, and to lose ourselves in the grand spectacle of aquatic storytelling. So dive in, immerse yourself, and let these incredible films take you on unforgettable journeys through the depths of the sea.