History YMMV / Aquaman2018

** Creator/JasonMomoa previously played [[Film/ConanTheBarbarian2011 Conan]], a Cimmerian, descendant of Atlantean colonists. Now he plays ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}, a.k.a. the prince/king of Atlantis. And he also had a role in ''Series/StargateAtlantis''. Not to mention [[Series/GameOfThrones the chief of a race that fears the ocean]].

*** Luísa Palomanes (Mera) had voiced another DC's redhead badass princess: [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitans Koriand’r a.k.a. Starfire]].

** The scene where King Orm launches his first attack on the surface world by flooding the coastlines with large tidal waves is harder to watch now in light of [[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46663158 the recent tsunami strike in Indonesia]], killing hundreds.

** Aquaman and Black Manta's costumes may look silly to some, bringing ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' to mind ([[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with recent comics, again]]), or ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', particularly for Manta -- despite [[OlderThanTheyThink originating much earlier]], in the comics. But to others, these are pushing the boundaries of comics-to-movies accuracy further than ever before and instead look epic.

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Starring the most infamous MemeticLoser in comics (mostly [[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with recent comics]]), and coming off the BoxOfficeBomb of ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'', many thought ''Aquaman'' was doomed going in, although the lack of TroubledProduction news, the choice of Creator/JamesWan to direct and his proactive approach on social media throughout the production time gave fair chunks of hope. It became a box office juggernaut that quickly outgrossed ''Justice League'' globally, and now has become the highest grossing film in the ''entire franchise'' and the biggest unadjusted DC Comics film grosser ''period''. And its critical reception is warm enough to invoke this as well.

** Jokes comparing Arthur and/or Mera to ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid'' and other similar characters have been very common. (Mera is also a redhead princess of an ocean kingdom, who's clueless about land things, so it fits.)

* HoYay: Black Manta's obsession over killing Aquaman leans a bit into this, especially as he's crafting his iconic suit to Depeche Mode's "It's No Good" -- which is often interpreted as an ''obsessive love song''.

* HoYay: Black Manta's obsession over killing Aquaman leans a bit into this, especially as he crafting his iconic suit to Depeche Mode's "It's No Good" -- which is often interpreted as an ''obsessive love'' song.

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Starring the most infamous MemeticLoser in comics (mostly [[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with recent comics]]), and coming off the BoxOfficeBomb of ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'', many thought ''Aquaman'' was doomed going in, although the lack of TroubledProduction news, the choice of Creator/JamesWan to direct and his proactive approach on social media throughout the production time gave fair chunks of hope. When the movie released, it initially scored a lower opening weekend gross than ''Justice League'' did, but it was soon saved by positive word of mouth and became a box office juggernaut that quickly outgrossed ''Justice League'' globally, and now has become the highest grossing film in the ''entire franchise'' and the biggest unadjusted DC Comics film grosser ''period''. And its critical reception is warm enough to invoke this as well.

* CounterpartComparison:
** Due to similarities ''Aquaman'''s plot shares with ''Film/{{Black Panther|2018}}'', some fans have begun comparing the two. Arthur himself is practically a heroic version of Erik Killmonger, being an outcast from a fantastic, technologically advanced hidden kingdom who returns to challenge an established king [[spoiler: who happens to be a blood relative]] for the throne. They even end up in a ritualistic duel. As the one who opposes war, initially loses and wins in the end, Arthur also shares similarities with Black Panther himself.
** As a long-haired {{Hunk}}, a {{Boisterous|Bruiser}} and a LightningBruiser, and heir to the throne of a non-human kingdom who cares about humans, becomes worthy of a legendary weapon through humility, stops his younger half-brother (adopted brother) with family issues from waging war upon another race, takes the throne from him and gets a LoveInterest within a couple of days, Arthur also shares a lot in common with Marvel's Thor as he is shown in the 2011 film ''Film/{{Thor}}.'' ''Thor'' and ''Black Panther'' films also got compared to ''each other'' within the [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse MCU]], and the basic plot involving PrincelingRivalry dates back to Creator/WilliamShakespeare.
** Speaking about a misguided younger half-(adopted) brother with a narrow clean-shaven face, slicked back hair and [[https://imgur.com/a/0LGLyVg stylish costumes]] who has picked up FantasticRacism and a pole weapon from his father, loves his mother, holds the throne for a while, serves as a primary antagonist, lies and schemes, uses a secondary villain as a pawn, tries to murder his elder heroic brother, wants to die after he is defeated but lives, is imprisoned for his crimes and may have a shot at redemption further down the line... Orm's and [[Film/{{Thor}} Loki's]] stories echo each other as well. Orm's actor also [[https://www.fandom.com/articles/aquaman-villain-thanos-loki acknowledged it]].
** Queen Atlanna shares a lot in common with [[Film/AntManAndTheWasp Janet van Dyne]], both being loving mothers of one of their film's main protagonists [[spoiler:who are initially believed to have died years before the film, but are revealed to be still alive; alone and trapped in nightmare worlds, but surviving through sheer badass effort until the heroes arrive to release them]]. Meta-bonus that both are played by [[Creator/MichellePfeiffer veteran]] [[Creator/NicoleKidman actresses]] who each starred in a Batman movie.

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Starring the most infamous MemeticLoser in comics (mostly [[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with recent comics]]), and coming off the BoxOfficeBomb of ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'', many thought ''Aquaman'' was doomed going in, although the lack of TroubledProduction news, the choice of Creator/JamesWan to direct and his proactive approach on social media throughout the production time gave fair chunks of hope. When the movie released, it initially scored a lower opening weekend gross than ''Justice League'' did, but it was saved by positive word of mouth and became a box office juggernaut that quickly outgrossed ''Justice League'' globally, and now has become the highest grossing film in the ''entire franchise'' and the biggest unadjusted DC Comics film grosser ''period''. And its critical reception is warm enough to invoke this as well.

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Starring the most infamous MemeticLoser in comics (mostly [[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with recent comics]]), and coming off the BoxOfficeBomb of ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'', many thought ''Aquaman'' was doomed going in, although the lack of TroubledProduction news, the choice of Creator/JamesWan to direct and his proactive approach on social media throughout the production time gave fair chunks of hope. When the movie released, it became a box office juggernaut that quickly outgrossed ''Justice League'' globally, and now has become the highest grossing film in the ''entire franchise'' and the biggest unadjusted DC Comics film grosser ''period''. And its critical reception is warm enough to invoke this as well.

** Black Manta's design has won over a lot of fans for evoking the classic look with a tactical modernization similar to ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice\''. It just feels right, as proper balance between cinematic and comic-accurate. Yahya Abdul-Mateen's performance coupled with his three-dimensional characterisation also helped.

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Starring the most infamous MemeticLoser in comics (mostly [[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with recent comics]]), and coming off the BoxOfficeBomb of ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'', many thought ''Aquaman'' was doomed going in, although the lack of TroubledProduction news, the choice of Creator/JamesWan to direct and his proactive approach on social media throughout the production time gave fair chunks of hope. When the movie released, it became a box office juggernaut that quickly outgrossed ''Justice League'' globally, and now has become the highest grossing film in the ''entire franchise'' (and soon to be the biggest unadjusted DC Comics film grosser ''period''). And its critical reception is warm enough to invoke this as well.

* CriticalDissonance: Building from ClicheStorm above, a significant number of professional criticism on the film continues to rip it for being "unoriginal" and its pacing problems. Its current box-office turnout and popular reception, on the other hand, is clearly way more welcoming.
** Also falls under TropesAreNotBad: While the plot may seem cliched, it follows a commonly understood storyline that most audiences can accept and enjoy. Not to mention the dissonance is actually downplayed considering the movie is currently enjoying a "Fresh" rating at 65% on WebSite/RottenTomatoes, which is a '''big''' improvement over anything in the franchise that was not ''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}''.

* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** The air bubble Mera summons underwater to talk to Arthur in ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'' has been quite divisively received. In ''Aquaman'', characters talk underwater pretty much as well as they do out of it, and the air-pocket trick is used by Mera for practical purposes -- as a safety pocket to help Arthur rescue his father amidst the tsunami caused by Orm, as a measure to make it difficult for 'non-high born' Atlanteans (ones who can't breathe out of the water) to know what's being said, and finally as a ''weapon'' against Orm in order to distract him as he's forced to briefly cough out the water in his lungs to adjust to being out-of-water.
** Aquaman's ''Film/JusticeLeague'' trident was widely mocked for having five prongs and, therefore, not being a ''tri''dent at all. In this movie the trident is destroyed and replaced with a more traditional one.

* AuthorsSavingThrow: The air bubble Mera summons underwater to talk to Arthur in ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'' has been quite divisively received. In ''Aquaman'', characters talk underwater pretty much as well as they do out of it, and the air-pocket trick is used by Mera for practical purposes -- as a safety pocket to help Arthur rescue his father amidst the tsunami caused by Orm, as a measure to make it difficult for 'non-high born' Atlanteans (ones who can't breathe out of the water) to know what's being said, and finally as a ''weapon'' against Orm in order to distract him as he's forced to briefly cough out the water in his lungs to adjust to being out-of-water.

* EvilIsCool: Aquaman's rogues made the transition to screen quite well. Ocean Master's battle prowess and style make for an entertaining villain and Creator/PatrickWilson brings good energy and charisma to the role. Creator/YahyaAbdulMateenII meanwhile gave Black Manta a great balance of ferocity and humanity, and his suit looks amazing in live-action. Even minor villains like Jesse Kane and Murk leave an impression when they go head to head with Arthur.

* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: Both Aquaman and to a lesser extent Black Manta were thought of as jokes for decades for people who are not familiar with the comics. The film takes great effort in showing both at the top of their games.

** The final battle between Orm's alliance and the Brine army is magnificent. It's like an epic Star Wars space battle in an underwater setting, and it looks ''grand''.

** Wan-billion [[labelnote:Explanation]]A portmanteau of the film's director James Wan and the box office results collected in mid-January.[[/labelnote]]

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Starring the most infamous MemeticLoser in comics (mostly [[AudienceColoringAdaptation for people not familiar with recent comics]]), and coming off the BoxOfficeBomb of ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'', many thought ''Aquaman'' was doomed going in, although the lack of TroubledProduction news, the choice of Creator/JamesWan to direct and his proactive approach on social media throughout the production time gave fair chunks of hope. When the movie released, it became a box office juggernaut that quickly outgrossed ''Justice League'' globally, and now has become the highest grossing film ''in the entire franchise''. And its critical reception is warm enough to invoke this as well.

** Also falls under TropesAreNotBad: While the plot may seem cliched, it follows a commonly understood storyline that most audiences can accept and enjoy. Not to mention the dissonance is actually downplayed considering the movie is currently enjoying a "Fresh" rating at 64% on WebSite/RottenTomatoes, which is a '''big''' improvement over anything in the franchise that was not ''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}''.

** Dotto with the reveal of [[spoiler:Black Manta]] still being alive. Not only is it almost as hard to buy they'd so quickly kill off an iconic character as the Joker's supposed death in ''Film/SuicideSquad'', but WB execs were openly discussing for ''months'' beforehand how excited they were about their future plans for the character.

** ''TabletopGame/WarhamnerAgeOfSigmar'' fans regard the Atlantean beast-units with no small amusement, because there is a definite visual similarity between them and an Age of Sigmar faction called the Idoneth Deepkin, who are Atlantis-inspired undersea elves who hunt mortals for souls with the aid of dominated {{sea monster}}s. Notably, both have shark cavalry, and turtle-based aquatic tanks. The Xebellian seahorses from this movie even look rather similar to Idoneth "deepmares", although deepmares have clawed forelimbs and no hindlimbs, whilst the seahorses lack forelimbs but do have webbed hindlimbs that aid them in swimming.

** "Mary Poppins is a sea monster!"[[labelnote:Explanation]]Producer Peter Safran revealed to Entertainment Weekly that Creator/JulieAndrews is voicing a sea creature who guards King Atlan's trident. Naturally fans are quick to make memes and references to her [[Film/MaryPoppins other role]]. What's even funnier is that ''Aquaman'' competes against ''Film/MaryPoppinsReturns'' of all things, and that Julie Andrews refused to have a cameo in it to not overshadow Creator/EmilyBlunt.[[/labelnote]]

** Aquaman and Black Manta's costumes may look silly to some, bringing ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' to mind ([[AudienceColoringAdaptation all over again]]), or ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', particularly for Manta -- despite [[OlderThanTheyThink originating much earlier]], in the comics. But to others, these are pushing the boundaries of comics-to-movies accuracy further than ever before and instead look epic.