The new iteration of the DCU might still be in its early days, but it is already off to a fantastic start. Creature Commandos made audiences fall in love with a relatively unknown group of misfits and their bizarre adventures, Superman reminded us that superheroes must be all about hope, optimism, and a little dose of punk-rock, and Peacemaker Season 2 expanded upon everything that made the first season amazing (even if its finale was so divisive it made fans theorize there was a hidden ninth episode to set things straight). The best part? Many more exciting projects are to come in 2026.
However, before DC could start a fresh and reinvigorated cinematic universe, they had to abandon a prior attempt at adapting superhero tales in live-action. Unfortunately, the DCEU will always be remembered for its missed potential. While movies such as Wonder Woman and The Suicide Squad elevated the franchise as a whole, they were ultimately weighed down by critically and commercially failed projects such as Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Now, one of the DCEU's biggest misses will dive into a new streaming platform, allowing audiences to watch it once more.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom arrives on Netflix on November 27
According to Collider, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will join Netflix's movie catalogue on November 27, 2025. This would mark yet another home for the infamous last DCEU project, which is already available for streaming on Hulu and HBO Max, in addition to being available for purchase or rent on Apple TV and Amazon.
The first Aquaman movie managed to gross over one billion dollars at the worldwide box office, while also proving that the character could work in live-action (a very tall order that not many believed in). Despite a few goofy moments and tonality changes, Aquaman surprised fans around the world, which is why a sequel seemed like a no-brainer at first. Unfortunately, not only did the movie come out during a time when the DCEU was already announced to be dead (greatly reducing audiences' interest in it), but it also failed to capture lightning in a bottle once again.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is among the three worst-rated DCEU movies ever released, along with Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad. However, it's worth pointing out that this is one of those cases where critics and general audiences don't see eye to eye. Despite a few storytelling shortcomings, fans agree that it's a fast-paced entry with polished VFX and no shortage of exhilarating action sequences from beginning to end.
Unfortunately, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom also failed to make a splash at the box office. The film earned $440 million on a reported budget of $215 million. The movie barely surpassed its estimated break-even point of $400 million, taking into account marketing expenses. Even then, many see it as a commercial failure, given that its predecessor managed to earn almost three times that amount.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom marked the DCEU's final chapter
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was released on December 21, 2023, and it marked the very last installment in the failed DCEU before Warner decided to reboot the franchise as a whole with James Gunn and Peter Safran at the lead. Interestingly enough, the first time that talks about a DC reset were made public was back in August 2022, meaning that by the time Arthur Curry swam back onto the big screen, audiences already knew his adventure wouldn't amount to anything.
Unfortunately, it remains unknown when Aquaman will join the new iteration of the DCU (if ever). However, one thing is clear: The character would need to be recast. After all, Jason Momoa has already been cast as a different character in the form of Lobo. So when can we expect the iconic antihero to make his big-screen debut? Well, it will happen sooner than expected, as Lobo is set to have a role in next year's Supergirl.
Even if Jason Momoa's time as Aquaman was short-lived (and his cameo in the finale of Peacemaker Season 1 was undone), things turned out for the better for the Hawaiian actor. With a bit of luck, the same will be said for the character of Arthur Curry, and maybe we could get to watch him in the DCU's version of the Justice League.
For the time being, we can enjoy Aquaman's latest live-action adventure on a new streaming platform. So, if you missed the movie when it first hit theaters, now it's the perfect time to give it a chance. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will release on Netflix on November 27.