Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ending spoilers follow.
Aquaman is back for one final battle in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the final movie of the DC Extended Universe.
The sequel sees Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and his entire family, including baby son Arthur Jr, at threat from Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who is still seeking revenge for Aquaman killing his father.
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When fans heard of the plot for Aquaman 2, there were theories that the sequel could be pulling from one of the darkest moments of Aquaman's comic book run where Black Manta killed Aquababy (yes, really).
So now that the movie is out, did Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom really go there? Let's dig into the ending to explain all.
Be warned, major spoilers await.
Aquaman 2 ending explained: Does Black Manta kill Aquababy?
Technically, all bets were off with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom since it was the final DCEU outing, but it won't be a surprise to know that the death of a baby isn't a part of a family-friendly blockbuster.
The sequel certainly hints that it might go there though. In order to free Kordax (leader of Necrus, the Black City), Black Manta needs the blood of any of King Atlan's descendants as Atlan sealed up Kordax and the Black City in ice with blood magic centuries before.
He fails to get Aquaman and Orm's blood, so while they're distracted, Black Manta decides to go after Arthur Jr instead. Black Manta stabs Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison) and kidnaps the baby. (Don't worry, Tom survives.)
Black Manta takes Arthur Jr to Necrus's previously-unknown location under the ice in Antarctica and prepares to sacrifice the baby to free Kordax. However, Aquaman, Mera, Orm and co arrive in time to stop Black Manta, and Mera takes Arthur Jr to safety (despite the fact she'd probably be more useful in the fight, but that's another thing).
The spirit of Kordax, which had been possessing Black Manta, goes into the body of Orm, who fights Aquaman, leading to some of his blood freeing Kordax's body. Aquaman and Orm's brotherly bond wins the day though, as Aquaman is able to stop Orm and kills Kordax before he can fully awaken.
Necrus starts to collapse without its leader but Black Manta refuses Aquaman's help and falls to his death. Everybody else gets out safe and sound though, and for his help, Aquaman frees Orm and tells him that he'll pretend Orm died in the battle to anybody who asks.
The final moments of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom – and, by extension, the entire DCEU – see Aquaman reveal Atlantis to the world at the UN, starting a joint effort to reverse climate change.
While the sequel itself doesn't feature the death of Aquaman and Mera's baby, there is still a nod to that dark storyline earlier in the movie.
The comic book storyline, Aquaman: Death of a Prince, saw Black Manta kidnap Aquababy and seal him in a sphere, which was slowly filled with air. Since Aquababy couldn't breathe outside of water, he suffocated and Aquaman was unable to save him in time. (We told you it was dark.)
In the movie, when Aquaman and Orm visit the Sunken Citadel to find out where Black Manta is hiding, Aquaman puts its leader Kingfish in a helmet that he fills with air. Kingfish tells him almost instantly and Aquaman frees him so he doesn't suffer the same fate as Aquababy.
For more Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom coverage, check out:
• Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom review
• How long is Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?
• Is Amber Heard in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?
• Does Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom have a post-credit scene?
• What's happening in the new DC Universe?
• How to watch DC movies in order
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is out now in cinemas.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
