Megathread: Aquaman Review Thread
(RT score will be added/updated every 5–10 minutes for the first hour or so, and then periodically as reviews continue to roll in. I'll keep adding more outlets and snippets as they drop.)
Rotten Tomatoes
All Critics: 88% – 312 reviews
Top Critics: 90% – 112 reviews
Status: Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus:
"James Wan's visually stunning direction and Alan Ritchson's commanding, magnetic performance transform Aquaman into a bold, charismatic hero. The film delivers a thrilling superhero epic that redefines the character with heart, humor, and high-stakes action."
Audience Score:
Verified Audience: 91% – 2,000+ reviews
All Audience: 92% – 10,000+ ratings
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Metacritic
Metascore: 85
"James Wan's vibrant, confident direction and Alan Ritchson's powerful portrayal of Arthur Curry elevate this film into one of DC's finest. Aquaman blends spectacle with genuine emotional depth, reintroducing the hero with refreshing clarity and purpose. Deborah Ann Woll's Mera brings balance and grace, grounding the fantasy in something deeply human."
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Deadline
"DC doesn't miss with its sixth entry. Wan's direction shines, creating an underwater world both awe-inspiring and authentic. Alan Ritchson and Deborah Ann Woll give career-defining performances, their chemistry crackling through the film's emotional core."
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Hollywood Reporter
"James Wan delivers a visually breathtaking film that takes Aquaman, a character who has spent decades as the butt of jokes and transforms him into one of the most compelling heroes in modern cinema. Gone are the dated orange scales and fish-talk gags; in their place is a warrior king with the strength of Superman and the heart of a reluctant leader. Ritchson embodies Arthur Curry with a perfect blend of brute force and quiet introspection. The direction is sharp, the action is epic, and it's a game-changer for the character. Aquaman is officially cool now, and Wan deserves every bit of credit for making that happen."
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Variety
"Alan Ritchson, returning to the DC universe after his early Smallville days, finally gets the crown he deserves. His Aquaman is commanding, soulful, and cool a full reinvention that silences decades of jokes. Wan's direction bursts with energy and creativity, and the script balances grandeur with surprising warmth. Ritchson and Woll's chemistry is effortless, leaving audiences wanting more."
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The Wrap
"Aquaman redeems the character through Wan's inventive, assured direction. The movie balances jaw-dropping spectacle with moments of quiet humanity. It's funny, heartfelt, and visually dazzling a film that finally does justice to the King of Atlantis."
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IGN – Score: 9/10
"A visual spectacle from start to finish, Aquaman is a triumph of worldbuilding and character. Alan Ritchson was born to play this role he's imposing, charismatic, and surprisingly funny. This generation won't be making any more Aquaman jokes; this movie kills them for good."
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Forbes
"Wan and Adler have crafted one of the year's most visually stunning blockbusters. The film is a marvel of production design and direction, anchored by standout performances from Alan Ritchson and Deborah Ann Woll. It's pure cinematic escapism elevated by emotion, craft, and vision—a contender for best superhero movie of the year."
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BBC Culture
"Aquaman is a visual feast under Wan's expert direction, reimagining the hero as a powerful, nuanced figure. The film's energy and character-driven story make it irresistible."
[Read More]
Top Comments:
u/jameuiedf44
Just watched it. Adler really did it he made Aquaman great again. This movie is everything I didn't know I needed.
u/Tidoiu88
I guess we now know why DC was so confident in releasing the movie so close to Age of Ultron. It's damn good. Like, really damn good.
u/Chronoerd42
I don't get the time period of this happening. This is what I don't like about the DCU the timeline is all over the place. Like, all the Batman movies happen before Wonder Woman, Flash, and Superman, and where is this supposed to be? When does this take place? It's confusing as hell.
u/Radiard101 replying to u/Chronoerd42:
Damn, are you that illiterate? It's clearly set after Superman. Not that hard to follow.
u/Chronoerd42 replying to u/Radiard101:
Excuse me? I'm asking a legitimate question. Maybe if DC actually made their timeline clearer instead of jumping around all over the place.
u/Radiard101 replying to u/Chronoerd42:
Or maybe you could pay attention to the post-credit scenes from previous films and all the references too. It's not DC's fault you can't follow basic continuity.
u/Chronoerd42 replying to u/Radiard101:
Oh, so now I'm supposed to watch all the small references and every single post-credit scene and read every press release just to understand when a movie takes place? Great storytelling, genius.
u/Radiard101 replying to u/Chronoerd42:
Yes. It's a cinematic universe and it's done in a way that any idiot can easily follow it.
u/Oceanr99 replying to u/Radiard101 and u/Chronoerd42:
Orm literally references the events of Superman during his speech in the council chamber, and Mera mentions Wonder Woman when talking to Arthur. It's clearly set post-Superman and post-Wonder Woman!
[Moderator] u/DCU_ModTeam:
This comment chain has been locked due to spoilers and uncivil behavior. Keep it respectful, folks.
u/ThrstyFson
Good movie. Only three stars though. Wanted more shirtless Alan Ritchson.
u/Hmeeydticn
Mera was badass, man. I loved that they focused on her and her OP powers so much. Deborah Ann Woll killed it. That scene where she manipulates the water to fight off those soldiers? Chef's kiss.
u/Pos45ffdicc
That mid-credits scene has me PUMPED, man. I won't spoil it, but holy shit. Justice League is going to be insane.
u/Eareeniny44
Just saw the video with Daniel Adler and Derek Lun. It's hilarious, man. Also, how do you get into these early screenings? I would love to watch movies with Daniel Adler too. Does he just invite random people, or what?
u/Goldchever456
DCU: all hits, no misses. That's six in a row now. Adler really is the king.
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Aquaman Makes a Massive Splash with $335 Million Global Opening Weekend
The King of Atlantis has arrived and he's brought a tidal wave of box office receipts with him. Aquaman, directed by James Wan and starring Alan Ritchson, Deborah Ann Woll, and Nicole Kidman, has exceeded expectations with a staggering $335 million worldwide opening weekend. The film pulled in $155 million domestically and an impressive $180 million internationally, marking DC's third-biggest opening weekend of all time trailing only 2014's Superman ($718 million globally) and last year's The Dark Knight ($468 million globally).
For a character that has long been the punchline of superhero culture, these numbers represent a stunning vindication not just for Aquaman fans but for DC as well.
Stardust Studios and DC Studios spared no expense in promoting Aquaman. The film's marketing campaign was everywhere: from massive billboards in Times Square to viral social media campaigns.
"We knew we had something special," said David Steiner, head of DC Studios, in a statement released Sunday. "James Wan's vision, the cast's wonderful performances, and the incredible work of our entire team—this was always going to be bigger than people expected. The audience response has been overwhelming."
While Aquaman performed solidly in North America, it was the international markets that truly propelled the film to this big opening. The film opened in 65 territories this weekend, with particularly strong performances in:
China: $82 million
South Korea: $18 million
United Kingdom: $14 million
Brazil: $12 million
Mexico: $10 million
China, in particular, has emerged as a massive driver of the film's success. Thanks to a strategic partnership with Tencent and heavy promotional efforts involving director James Wan who has a significant fanbase in the region and also Daniel Adler himself, who joined the Aquaman team in China, early tracking suggests the film could leg out to over $250 million in China alone.
The big question now is how Aquaman will hold up in its second weekend—particularly in North America, where it faces a titanic challenger: Avengers: Age of Ultron, which opens domestically next Friday.
Analysts predict that Age of Ultron will dominate the domestic box office upon its release, likely cutting into Aquaman's North American momentum. However, the outlook in international markets particularly in China and East Asia tells a different story.
"Aquaman has legs," said box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Rentrak. "It's not just a flash-in-the-pan opening. People are seeing it multiple times, and in markets like China, it's becoming an event. Age of Ultron will certainly take a bite out of its domestic numbers, but internationally? Aquaman might just keep swimming."
With Aquaman now joining the ranks of DC's biggest earners, the studio's cinematic universe continues to prove itself as a critical and commercial powerhouse. Six films in, and DC has yet to produce a flop, a track record similar to its competitor Marvel, who has had some critical downers in the past.
With this explosive opening, we can say that the jokes are done and buried. The King of Atlantis has officially arrived.
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@DanielAdler
The ultimate in alien terror.
THE THING
In theaters August 2016
Trailer drops tomorrow.
[Image attached]
[The image shows the poster: a silhouetted figure stands alone against a stark white background, their body backlit and obscured. Above them, bold red letters spell out "THE THING" in a font that seems to drip with unease. At the bottom, in smaller text: "Man is the warmest place to hide."]
Replies:
@Hor5natic88
THE POSTER IS SO COOL MAN.
@Cinee5ffen
Wait, what's this about? Is this a horror movie?
@Blkbuterroe4
Another Adler banger incoming. The man does not miss.
@SJameeerivedm
Seriously, man, do you ever sleep? How are you releasing like 100 movies a year???
@SiSkeicoff2
From what I heard, this is a rip-off of Alien. Same premise, different setting. Not sure how I feel about that.
@RhrilrLunkie
ETS GOOOOOOO
@Ioteoector3
I need this poster on my wall ASAP.
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Alejandro González Iñárritu's 'Birdman' to Premiere at Venice Film Festival, October Release Confirmed
Alejandro González Iñárritu is returning with what may be his most ambitious film yet. Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), the acclaimed director's passion project, has been confirmed for its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival this September, with a wide theatrical release scheduled for October 2016.
The film, which has been in development and production since February 2015, reunites Iñárritu with producer-writer Daniel Adler under the Midas Productions banner marking their second collaboration following the monumental success of The Revenant, which swept the Oscars last year.
Birdman stars Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomson, a washed-up actor best known for portraying an iconic superhero decades ago, who now struggles to mount a Broadway adaptation in a desperate bid to reclaim his past glory and prove he is more than the cape he once wore.
The ensemble cast includes Margot Robbie as Riggan's troubled daughter, Naomi Watts as an insecure actress making her Broadway debut, and Edward Norton as a volatile method actor whose ego threatens to derail the entire production. The film also features Zach Galifianakis, Andrea Riseborough, and Amy Ryan in supporting roles.
The movie is shot in a way that makes the film appear as though it unfolds in one continuous take. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, who won an Oscar for his work on The Revenant, is once again collaborating with Iñárritu to craft the film's immersive, fluid visual style.
"This is Alejandro at his most daring," said a source close to the production. "It's intimate, it's darkly funny, and it's visually unlike anything you've seen before."
This also marks the second time Daniel Adler and Alejandro González Iñárritu have worked together, and expectations are sky-high. Their first collaboration, The Revenant, dominated the 2015 awards season, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor at the Academy Awards, among others.
Adler, who has built an unparalleled reputation as a producer with a golden touch, was instrumental in bringing Birdman to life. After the success of The Revenant, Iñárritu approached Adler with the script for Birdman, a project he had been developing quietly for years. Adler immediately saw its potential and committed Midas Productions to back the film fully.
"Alejandro is one of the most fearless filmmakers working today," Adler said in a recent interview. "When he told me about Birdman, I knew it was going to be something special, something that would challenge audiences and stay with them long after the credits roll. I'm honored to be part of it."
At its core, Birdman is a darkly comedic drama about identity, legacy, and the cost of artistic ambition. Riggan Thomson, once a major Hollywood star, has spent the last two decades in obscurity after walking away from his most famous role, that of the superhero Birdman. Now, desperate to prove he is a "serious" artist, he bets everything on a self-directed Broadway adaptation.
But as opening night approaches, everything begins to unravel. His daughter resents him, his lead actor is impossible to control, and worst of all, the voice of Birdman himself won't stop whispering in his head, mocking his every move.
The film explores themes of ego, reinvention, and the sometimes-toxic relationship between artists and their work. It's also a pointed satire of Hollywood, celebrity culture, and the theater world, wrapped in a visually audacious package that blurs the line between reality and delusion.
"It's a film about a man trying to escape his past," Iñárritu explained in a recent press statement. "But the past, as we all know, is not so easily left behind."
Birdman has already become one of the most anticipated films of the year among critics. Following its Venice premiere, Birdman will make the rounds at several other major festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the New York Film Festival, before its wide release in October.
For Midas Productions, Birdman represents yet another entry in a slate of critically acclaimed films and also another chance at sweeping the awards season. As for Iñárritu, Birdman could very well be the film that cements his place among the greatest directors of his generation.
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r/horror
u/Bitchcthusiast45
Daniel Adler's 'The Witch' Finishes Filming
I am SO hyped for this movie. Adler's been teasing this project for months, and now that principal photography has wrapped, we're one step closer to seeing what he's cooked up.
For those who don't know, The Witch is set in 1630s New England and follows a Puritan family that gets banished from their plantation and has to start over near a dark, foreboding forest. From what I've gathered, it's about those old witchcraft tales told to children to keep them away from the woods except in this story, they're real.
Here are some BTS pics that were posted by Adler:
[Image 1]: Daniel Adler and Anya Taylor-Joy on set, standing in front of a decrepit, fog-shrouded cabin
[Image 2]: The entire family cast together—Anya, Ralph, Katie, Harvey, and the twins—all in Puritan garb.
[Image 3]: The actress playing the Witch, Sarah Stephens, trying to bite Daniel Adler's neck while he laughs.
[Image 4]: The entire cast and crew together in a massive group photo.
Top Comments:
u/Horjjead667
Glad Adler is doing two horror movies. The Thing and The Witch are my number one and two most anticipated films this year.
u/Bibliile_kjike
Do you think Adler will adapt his book The Others? It's one of my favorites. I think it would translate perfectly to film.
u/Bitchcthusiast45 replying to u/Bibliile_kjike:
God, I hope so. The Others would be incredible as a film.
u/Dimauikeptic
Let's hope Adler is as good a director as he is a writer. If he is, then damn, a once-in-a-generation talent he is.
u/Dfffrehhibes8
Oh man, it looks great. I'm so ready for this.
u/Doveltyr65ftyader
Heard Adler is working with Gillian Flynn on a novel as well. Wonder if it'll be horror too? Would be interesting to see what those two twisted minds come up with together.
u/JamearkPages replying to u/Doveltyr65ftyader:
Wait, WHAT? Adler and Flynn? That's a dream team.
u/Sunorrojan
The 1630s New England setting is perfect for this kind of story. Puritans, isolation, paranoia, and actual witchcraft? Sign me the fuck up.
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r/DCU
Posted by u/Lilyonford
So the bad guys for Justice League have been basically confirmed, right?
Alright, so after seeing that mid-credits scene in Aquaman, I think that the big bads for Justice League have been confirmed.
The White Martians.
It makes sense when you think about it. J'onn is being introduced in Justice League, so the movie will serve as both his origin story and the team's coming together.
Top Comments:
u/LeeanternKan
Yep. What I'm very intrigued about is who will be the leader. Like, is it going to be just them invading, or is there going to be a mastermind pulling the strings?
u/Lilyonford replying to u/LeeanternKan:
Yeah, the White Martians are terrifying on their own, but without a central villain, it might feel a bit directionless.
u/AsgardianWatcher replying to u/Lilyonford:
They kinda need a Loki. Just faceless alien hordes won't cut it.
u/hackerid344
Guys, I think we're going to find out at Comic-Con. Adler said it was going to be big. I'm expecting reveals, trailers, the whole nine yards like Marvel did last year.
u/Batmforrever2 replying to u/hackerid344:
Yeah, expecting the Batman Pt. 3 trailer there. Maybe a Green Lantern one as well?
u/GothamKnight45 replying to u/BatmanForever92:
Fuck yeah, man. Can't wait for Batman.
u/Orlaed33 replying to u/Batmforrever2:
Is Paul Dano confirmed as Riddler? I keep seeing leaks about it.
u/Batmforrever2 replying to u/Orlaed33:
Yeah, looks like it. Multiple sources have confirmed it at this point.
u/Hiadleriedd34
I think J'onn's brother might be the big bad. It kinda makes sense, right? Malefic leading the White Martians against Earth, and J'onn has to stop him.
u/Lorna3dft3
Hey, so did Adler not have a cameo in this one? I didn't catch it.
u/Pormina34ds replying to u/Lorna3dft33:
Yeah, he did. He was the drummer octopus in the duel in Atlantis.
u/Lorna3dft33 replying to u/Pormina34ds:
Really??
u/Pormina34ds replying to u/Lorna3dft33:
Yeah, man. He confirmed it on Twitter.
u/MichalDcxxxwe3
Man, Justice League is going to be another two billion easy for DC. The Avengers is washed. I mean, Age of Ultron can't even go against Aquaman.
u/Capvbat3ds replying to u/MichalDcxxxwe3:
Age of Ultron was great, man, and it's still beating Aquaman.
u/MichalDcxxxwe3 replying to u/Capvbat3ds:
Domestically, sure. But globally? Aquaman is eating. The world loves DC right now.
u/Capvbat3ds replying to u/MichalDcxxxwe3:
We'll see how it holds up in the long run. Ultron hasn't even finished its run yet.
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Avengers: Age of Ultron Ends Box Office Run at $1.38 Billion
Marvel Studios' Avengers: Age of Ultron has officially concluded its theatrical run with a worldwide total of $1.38 billion, solidifying its place as one of 2016's biggest blockbusters. However, the film falls short of its predecessor, 2012's The Avengers, which earned $1.51 billion globally, a drop that many analysts attribute in part to stiff competition from DC's Aquaman.
The sequel pulled in $459 million domestically and $921 million internationally, impressive numbers by any standard. Yet the shadow of the original Avengers looms large, and industry insiders agree that Age of Ultron underperformed expectations, particularly in key international markets.
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Aquaman Concludes Theatrical Run at $1.21 Billion
DC's Aquaman has officially closed its theatrical run with a stunning worldwide total of $1.21 billion, cementing the film as the fourth one-billion crosser in the DC Cinematic Universe and one of the top-grossing films of 2016.
Directed by James Wan and starring Alan Ritchson, Deborah Ann Woll, and Nicole Kidman, the film earned $359 million domestically and an extraordinary $851 million internationally. However, much like its box office rival Avengers: Age of Ultron, Aquaman faced headwinds due to the two films' near-simultaneous release. Analysts agree that had the films been spaced further apart, Aquaman could have easily crossed $1.4 billion or more.
The crown jewel of Aquaman's box office performance was China, where the film earned a staggering $370 million, the highest total ever for a DC film in the market after Superman.
"Aquaman became a cultural phenomenon in China," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Rentrak. "The visuals, the spectacle, it all resonated deeply with Chinese audiences. DC didn't just win that market; they dominated it."
The film's international appeal was undeniable, with strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewings driving its longevity in theaters.