Can a superhero blockbuster successfully pivot from epic fantasy to a buddy comedy?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom concludes the DC Extended Universe with a surprising tonal shift. While the first film leaned into grand worldbuilding, this sequel transforms into a bromance between Arthur Curry and his brother Orm, all while tackling the heavy, real-world implications of climate change and ocean acidification.

Directed by James Wan, the 2023 film follows Arthur Curry as he balances his duties as the king of Atlantis with his new responsibilities as a father. The narrative centers on a high-stakes conflict where Arthur must recruit his imprisoned half-brother, Orm, to stop the vengeful Black Manta. Manta, now empowered by the cursed Black Trident, seeks to destroy Atlantis by utilizing ancient technology that releases greenhouse gases, threatening a planetary extinction event similar to one caused by an ancient kingdom in the past.

The production process was marked by significant creative evolution and controversy. Initially pitched by Jason Momoa during the first film's production, the sequel underwent extensive reshoots between July 2022 and June 2023. These changes altered the storyline and reduced the screen time of several actors, most notably Amber Heard. While the studio maintained that the film was always intended as a buddy comedy, reports surfaced regarding internal friction and the removal of various scenes, leading to a final product that some critics found disjointed.

Despite the negative critical reception, the film serves as a definitive end to the DC Extended Universe. It draws heavy inspiration from the Silver Age of Comic Books, incorporating a retro science fiction aesthetic reminiscent of 1960s horror cinema. By the time of its release, the film had generated $440 million in global ticket sales against a production cost estimated between $205 million and $215 million. Ultimately, the story concludes with Arthur revealing the existence of Atlantis to the United Nations, signaling a new era of cooperation between the surface world and the oceans.

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