James Wan’s Aquaman made a giant splash in China two weeks ahead of its U.S. launch, grossing $93.6 million to land the top opening ever for a DC comic book adaptation. Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa in the titular role, also marks the biggest start ever in China for any Warner Bros. title, besting Ready Player One by 66 percent.
Among Warner Bros./DC movies, Aquaman launched 92 percent ahead of Justice League and 78 percent ahead of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Plus, it has already exceeded the entire lifetime gross of Wonder Woman in the country.
Aquaman also delivered the biggest industry opening in China for the month of December, commanding 85 percent of market share. Imax sites in the Middle Kingdom turned in a mighty $9.7 million. Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson and Dolph Lundgren co-star in the tentpole, which follows on the heels of Sony’s Venom, which has earned a stunning $268 million in China to date for a global total north of $850 million.
This is a huge boost for Warner Bros. and its DC Comics Extended Universe, which is coming off the disastrous release of Justice League. And for it to happen in China is reassuring, as DCEU titles haven’t done as well there as Disney’s Marvel releases.
Aquaman will open in North America on Dec. 21, the beginning of the lucrative year-end holiday corridor.
