- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom received a 39% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics highlighting issues with the story, special effects, and editing.
- Despite poor reviews from critics, audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes show a 77% approval rating.
- Some critics appreciate the movie’s entertainment value and the performances of the cast, although many have expressed disappointment.
The latest film in the DC Extended Universe, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, has not been well-received by critics, with a score of 39% on Rotten Tomatoes. Many have cited issues with the film’s story, special effects, and editing, calling it a mess. Nevertheless, audiences have shown more appreciation for the movie, with a 77% approval rating on the Rotten Tomatoes audience side.
The sequel, directed by James Wan and featuring Jason Momoa’s final performance as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, follows the enormous success of the first Aquaman film in 2018. However, critics have been ruthless with their reviews, with Owen Gleiberman of Variety calling it “glumly standard” and Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter stating that “even the actors seem worn out by the ridiculousness of this sequel.”
A few critics have found positive aspects in the film. For example, Jenna Anderson of ComicBook.com describes it as a “pleasant, largely entertaining time” with a “committed ensemble cast.” But overall, the critical response has been largely negative, with Kaitlyn Booth of Bleeding Cool stating that Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is “a mess of a film in every way that counts.”
Despite the poor reviews, the film still performed relatively well with audiences, indicating that superhero movies continue to cater to their intended audience more successfully than to movie critics. The future of the DC Extended Universe remains uncertain, as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is one of the lowest-rated films in the franchise on Rotten Tomatoes.