How Many Aquaman Movies Are There?

Aquaman, the iconic DC Comics superhero, has made waves on the big screen in recent years. With his incredible underwater abilities and role as King of Atlantis, Aquaman has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore the Aquaman movies, including the 2018 standalone film, its sequel, and the character’s appearances in other DC movies.

Aquaman (2018)

The 2018 Aquaman movie, directed by James Wan, follows Arthur Curry (played by Jason Momoa), a half-human, half-Atlantean who must embrace his heritage to become king of Atlantis and stop his evil brother Orm from uniting the seven underwater kingdoms to destroy the surface world. The film is packed with action, adventure, and breathtaking underwater battles.

Filming for Aquaman took place in various locations, including Australia, Canada, Morocco, and Italy. The movie wrapped filming on October 21, 2017.

Visual Effects and Box Office Success

Aquaman underwent extensive visual effects work, with over 2,300 shots requiring CGI and special effects. This included creating digital doubles of the actors for underwater scenes and animating creatures like the Karathen. Special software was also developed to simulate realistic hair movement underwater.

The film was a massive financial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. It performed exceptionally well in China, where it made more money than any other solo Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Aquaman was also the biggest DC film in the Philippines.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

The highly anticipated sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, was released in December 2023 as the 15th and final film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Jason Momoa reprised his role as Arthur Curry / Aquaman, with James Wan returning to direct the film.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)	Details
Director	James Wan
Lead Actor	Jason Momoa
Release Date	December 2023
DCEU Film Order	15th and final film

Plot and Themes

The story follows Aquaman as he teams up with his half-brother Orm to fight Black Manta, who seeks to destroy the world with an ancient artifact. The film also explores environmental themes, showcasing the consequences of human actions on the ocean.

Critical Reception and Box Office Performance

Despite the success of its predecessor, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom received generally negative reviews from critics. Many critics found fault with the film’s plot and some of its characters.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)	Reception
Critical Reception	Generally negative
Box Office Performance	Lower than expected

The film also grossed lower than expected at the box office, failing to match the success of the 2018 Aquaman movie.

Despite the mixed reception, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom serves as the final installment in the DCEU, concluding the franchise’s overarching storyline and Aquaman’s character arc.

Aquaman in Other DC Movies

Apart from his standalone film, Aquaman has appeared in other DC movies:

1. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016): Aquaman had a brief cameo in this film, setting the stage for the larger DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
2. Justice League (2017): In this ensemble film, Aquaman fought alongside other DC superheroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Cyborg.
3. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021): The director’s cut of the 2017 Justice League movie featured additional scenes with Aquaman, further expanding his role.

Aquaman: King of Atlantis (Animated Miniseries)

In addition to the live-action films, there is an animated miniseries called Aquaman: King of Atlantis. The series, which is a sequel to the original Aquaman movie, is available on HBO Max.

Future of Aquaman Movies

Despite the mixed reception and lower-than-expected box office performance of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the future of the Aquaman franchise remains uncertain. As the final film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), it remains to be seen if Warner Bros. will continue to explore the character’s story in a new cinematic universe or through other media.

Potential Spinoffs and Reboots

There have been rumors and speculations about potential spinoffs or reboots featuring Aquaman. However, as of 2023, no official announcements have been made regarding any future projects.

Potential Aquaman Projects	Status
Spinoffs	Rumored, no official announcements
Reboots	Rumored, no official announcements

Aquaman Movies in Other Media

While the future of Aquaman in live-action films remains uncertain, the character continues to appear in other media, such as comic books, animated series, and video games. These appearances help keep the character relevant and engage fans across different platforms.

Aquaman in Other Media	Examples
Comic Books	Ongoing series, limited series, crossovers
Animated Series	Aquaman: King of Atlantis, Young Justice
Video Games	Injustice series, LEGO DC Super-Villains

Jason Momoa’s Involvement

Actor Jason Momoa, who portrayed Aquaman in the DCEU films, has expressed interest in continuing his involvement with the character. However, his future as Aquaman will depend on the direction that Warner Bros. decides to take with the franchise.

As fans await further news on the future of Aquaman movies, they can continue to enjoy the character’s adventures in other media and revisit the existing films in the DCEU.

 

As of 2024, there are two Aquaman movies in the live-action DCEU: the 2018 standalone film and its sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The character has also appeared in other DC movies and has an animated miniseries. With the success of these films, both critically and at the box office, it’s clear that Aquaman has solidified his place as one of DC’s most popular and beloved superheroes.

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