The presents are unwrapped, and the Christmas movies have been released to audiences. But, despite the large volume of releases, box office revenue is down from last year. 

Ticket sales for the holiday weekend, stretching from the 22nd of December to the 25th, are down 7% from last year. Despite Christmas being on a Monday, which usually stirs up some distaste from the studios, Aquaman is looking to be the king of the box office this weekend, as well as the king of Atlantis. 

Like its companions in the DCEU, Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom is on track for yet another low start for the series, looking at just $38-$40 million domestically for the holiday weekend. $27-$28 million of the revenue comes from the typical 3-day weekend preceding Christmas. 

Despite the low domestic total, the film is catching up to a number 1 finish, with a sizable international gross for the weekend. The film made $80.1 million in 72 markets overseas, with $30.4 million coming from China alone. 

Comparing the sequel to its predecessor, the original Aquaman from 2018 became the highest-grossing movie in the DCEU, not adjusted for inflation. Over its global run, the Jason Momoa-led action flick took in over a billion dollars, with $67.9 million coming from its 3-day opening.

Outside of Aquaman, Warner Bros. also released two other films for the holiday season. Last weekend saw the release of Wonka, while The Color Purple hits theaters on Christmas Day. Wonka is looking to take home $28 million during the holiday stretch. 

Looking past what Warner Bros. brings, Illumination turned Migration out to the public, looking to take in about $17.2 million over the four days. It’s also marking a lull in Illumination numbers, marking the lowest start for the studio’s history while taking in $22 million overseas. The final verdict for the film won’t be released until New Year’s. 

Other opening films this holiday season are Anyone But You, to a 4-day gross of $8 million, and Iron Claw, to $6.1 million. 

Christmas Day Update by Deadline:

1.) Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (WB) 3-day $30M, 4-day $43M/Wk 1

2.) Wonka (WB)  3-day $18.8M (-52%), 4-day $30M/Total $87.5M/Wk 2

3.) Migration (Ill/Uni) , 3-day $13M, 4-day $18M, Wk 1

4.) Anyone But You (Sony)  3-day $7M, 4-day $9M, Wk 1

5.) Salaar Part 1 Ceasefire (Prath) 3-day $6M 4-day $8.2M/Wk 1

6.) Iron Claw (A24) 3-day $5.5M, 4-day $7.8M/Wk 1

7.) Hunger Games: Songbirds & Snakes (LG)  3-day $3.5M (-40%), 4-day $5.4M total $154.8M/Wk 6

8.) Boy and the Heron (GKIDs)  3-day $3.6M (-35%),4-day $4.1M Total $31.5M/Wk 3

9.) Godzilla Minus One (Toho) 3 day $2.75M (-45%), 4-day $3.89M Total $41.4M/Wk 4

10.) Dunki (Yash Raj)  3-day $2.6M 4-day $3.75M/Total $4.6M/Wk 1

11) Poor Things (SEA) 3-day $2.37M (+85%), 4-day $3.4M Total $6.34M/Wk 3