James Wan’s Aquaman made a giant splash in China two weeks ahead of its U.S. launch, grossing $93.6 million to land the top opening ever for a DC comic book adaptation.
Aquaman — starring Jason Momoa in the titular role — also marks the biggest start ever in China for any Warner Bros. title, besting Ready Player One by 66 percent.
Among Warner Bros./DC movies, Aquaman launched 92 percent ahead of Justice League and 78 percent ahead of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Plus, it has already exceeded the entire lifetime gross of Wonder Woman in the country.
Aquaman also delivered the biggest industry opening in China for the month of December, commanding 85 percent of market share. Imax sites in the Middle Kingdom turned in a mighty $9.7 million.
Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson and Dolph Lundgren co-star in the tentpole, which follows on the heels of Sony’s Venom, which has earned a stunning $268 million in China to date for a global total north of $850 million.
Warners decided to unfurl Aquaman first in China, followed by additional foreign markets next week, in order to get a jump on a crowded pack of year-end holiday films, including Mary Poppins Returns and the Transformers spinoff Bumblebee.
Aquaman will open in North America on Dec. 21, the beginning of the lucrative year-end holiday corridor.
