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Aquaman (film)

Aquaman is a 2018 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Aquaman.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Aquaman is a 2018 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Aquaman. Directed by James Wan and starring Jason Momoa, it follows Arthur Curry as he tries to lead Atlantis and stop a conflict between the underwater kingdoms and the surface world. The film is the sixth installment in the DC Extended Universe.

Premise

The film follows Arthur Curry as he discovers his role as heir to Atlantis and confronts his half-brother Orm, who seeks to unite the underwater kingdoms against the surface world.

Production

Aquaman was produced by DC Films, Warner Bros. Pictures, and The Safran Company. James Wan directed the film, with writing by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall.

Release and reception

The film premiered in London on November 26, 2018, and was released in the United States on December 21, 2018. It received mixed to positive reviews and became a major commercial success, grossing $1.152 billion worldwide.

Cast and characters

Along with Jason Momoa, the film features Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman in supporting roles.

Key facts

  • Aquaman is the sixth film in the DC Extended Universe.
  • It stars Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman.
  • The film was directed by James Wan from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall.
  • It premiered in London on November 26, 2018, and was released in the United States on December 21, 2018.
  • The film grossed $1.152 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing DCEU film and the highest-grossing film based on a DC Comics character.
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Canadian context

Aquaman was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and is part of a major Hollywood franchise widely released in Canadian theatres and home entertainment markets.[1][3]

Frequently asked questions

What is Aquaman?
Aquaman is a 2018 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name.
Who directed Aquaman?
James Wan directed the film.
Who plays Aquaman?
Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman.
What is the film about?
It follows Arthur Curry as he tries to lead Atlantis and stop his half-brother Orm from triggering a conflict with the surface world.
How successful was Aquaman at the box office?
It grossed $1.152 billion worldwide.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaman_(film)
    Supports: Core film details, director, cast, release dates, and box office.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaman_(movie)
    Supports: Film identification, director, cast, and franchise placement.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477834/plotsummary/
    Supports: Basic plot summary involving Arthur Curry and Atlantis.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/aquaman
    Supports: Plot description involving Arthur Curry, Orm, and the quest to prevent war.