Time Is Running Out To Stream the Final Movie From the DCEU

With Superman in the rearview and both Supergirl and Man of Tomorrow already in our line of vision, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s takeover of DC is going quite swimmingly. After stepping up to the plate a full three years ago (time flies, doesn’t it?) and branching off into what is now DC Studios, it seems like the beloved superheroes are finally back soaring sky-high at the box office. But, for those who miss the DC of yesteryear, Netflix has you covered — for now at least. Audiences can currently head over to the platform to stream Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom — the final film in the now-defunct DC Extended Universe (DCEU). However, that’s all about to change. With the new year comes a new lineup of content, and the streamer will soon knock the Jason Momoa-led sequel from its catalogue as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will take its final plunge on January 1, 2026.

Directed by James Wan, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom originated from an ideaMomoa had while working on the 2018 flagship film. In it, audiences are reintroduced to Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, who is now on a mission, alongside his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), to stop the villainous Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) from carrying out his plan for the complete and total destruction of the world. In addition to Momoa, Wilson and Abdul-Mateen II, the follow-up also saw the return of Amber Heard as Mera, Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin, Dolph Lundgren as Nereus, Temuera Morrison as Arthur’s father, Tom Curry, and Nicole Kidman as Arthur and Orm’s mother, Atlanna.

Despite signaling the end of the DCEU, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom still performed moderately well financially. Against a production budget of $215 million, the film earned $440.2 million at the global box office. Considering the massive bomb that its fellow 2023 release, The Flash, became, this one was considered a win for the studio. Still, it was nowhere near the earnings of the first film, which amassed a staggering $1.152 billion during its theatrical run. There were plenty of stakes piled against the sequel’s success, with the unfortunate timing of Heard’s trial with her then ex, Johnny Depp, playing a part in turning audiences away from the film.

Jason Momoa Will Return To the DC Universe

With the DCEU left in the dust, Gunn and Safran are reimagining their DC Studios and starting fresh. One of the pair’s first big moves was replacing the long-running Superman actor, Henry Cavill, with David Corenswet, and soon, Momoa will take on a new role as well. Dropping his trident and flippers for a big ol’ hook, Momoa will soon appear as Lobo, one of the primary antagonists in Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl.

Head over to Netflix before January 1 to stream Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Release Date

December 22, 2023

Runtime

124 minutes

Director

James Wan

Writers

David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, James Wan, Mort Weisinger, Paul Norris, Thomas Pa'a Sibbett, Jason Momoa

Producers

Peter Safran, Rob Cowan, James Wan