The Last DCEU Film Becomes a Streaming Success on Netflix

Although the DC Extended Universe, also known as the DCEU or Snyderverse, has officially concluded, it continues to attract attention in 2025, particularly on streaming platforms.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, released in 2023, marked the end of the DCEU as it was known. Warner Bros. has since rebooted the DC Universe under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. Despite this, Jason Momoas final solo Aquaman adventure is finding a new audience on Netflix, two years after its theatrical debut.

In the last week of November, James Wans sequel ranked ninth among Netflixs most-watched movies, accumulating 3.9 million views. The film remains in the top 10 on the platform, proving its ongoing appeal. Although the movie had been available on HBO Max, Warner Bros. maintains an agreement allowing its films to appear on Netflix, where they are now reaching a broader audience.

The story follows Arthur Curry (Momoa) as he faces Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) once more. The villain, driven by revenge for his fathers death, is determined to defeat Aquaman at any cost.

The 2018 original Aquaman set box office records for DC, earning $1.15 billion globally. Its sequel, however, only brought in $440 million, resulting in a disappointing close to the DCEU era. Despite its underwhelming theatrical performance, it remains popular among streaming viewers.

Critically, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom did not match the success of its predecessor and arrived after the DCU reboot plans were already announced, signaling the 2023 DC releases as largely inconsequential. Other 2023 DC films, including Blue Beetle ($130 million worldwide on a $100 million budget), Shazam! Fury of the Gods ($134 million/$125 million), and The Flash ($271 million/$200 million), also underperformed.

Nonetheless, audience interest persists, with Blue Beetle also trending on Netflixa character Gunn intends to integrate into the new DC Universe. Jason Momoa will not return as Aquaman but will take on the role of antihero Lobo in the upcoming Supergirl film.

Looking back, the DCEU had its mix of highs and lows, from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice onward, often struggling to compete with Marvel. Despite its uneven journey, the franchise built a dedicated fan base that continues to enjoy these films at home.

Author: Noah Whitman