Jason Momoa’s spectacle Aquaman dominated the box office, despite mixed critical reviews.
The DC adventure dominated in North America with a splashy $72 million debut, including previews.
Warner Aquaman has already generated over $300 million in international markets, including $189 million in China in the two weeks before its U.S. launch.
Reviews for the Jason Momoa vehicle have been decent, with a current 66% score on RottenTomatoes.
The latest addition to the DC Extended Universe is playing in 4,150 domestic locations.
The movie held two special previews, one on December 15 for Amazon Prime customers and another on December 19, leading up to its official release.
“Aquaman” carries a hefty $200 million production price tag. It follows Warner “Wonder Woman,” which pulled in $11 million from Thursday night previews on its way to a massive $103 million launch weekend and eventual $412 million domestic gross.
In October, Sony’s “Venom” took in $10 million from Thursday previews and made $80 million in its launch frame.
That’s a strong start during a month that tends to field smaller opening weekends that pick up steam as audiences have time off from work and school between Christmas and New Year’s.
As expected, Aquaman easily fended off fellow newcomers Mary Poppins Returns and Bumblebee, which were in a close race for No. 2 at the box-office.
Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns” was the choice for moviegoers with young kids, earning $22.2 million over the three-day frame and $31 million during its first five days of release.
That ranks as one of the smallest bows for a Disney title this year, but musicals don’t usually have big opening weekends.
But the live-action sequel looks to have a healthy life–long legs–at multiplexes during the holiday stretch.
Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda co-star in the follow-up, which made $20 million overseas for a worldwide start of $51 million. Rob Marshall, who previously teamed with Blunt and Disney on “Into the Woods,” directed the film, which carries a $130 production budget.