Since its release, Aquaman has drawn attention of critics and viewers alike for its off-the-wall CGI spectacles and snappy pace. Clearly these elements and the overall hype surrounding the superhero flick have paid off for the DC Extended Universe, considering its worldwide box office has passed the $1 billion mark, but it may not be enough to guarantee success for upcoming DC films.

Aquaman, which was helmed by the horror-centric James Wan and stars Jason Momoa and Amber Heard, is the first DC Comics-adapted film since 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises to cross the $1 billion worldwide box office threshold. The financial success of Aquaman has also beat out Wonder Woman’s global earnings, despite the latter garnering more critical praise.

Throughout several releases in recent years, DCEU films have faced backlash from fans for creative direction and casting decisions and have been handily outearned by Marvel films, but the recent successes of Aquaman and Wonder Woman seem to point to a more lucrative future for the DCEU.

The future success of DCEU films will be determined by whether they can replicate the qualities that made Wonder Woman and Aquaman resonate with global audiences and build a consistently positive track record - something that has yet to be achieved.

In the next couple years the DCEU will continue to expand with releases like Shazam!, Birds of Prey and the follow-up to Wonder Woman. If these films return to the incoherent narratives, poor pacing and self-seriousness that have characterized some previous DCEU films, like Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice or Justice League, audiences will be even more adverse to its films.

However, if the positive trend started by Wonder Woman and strengthened by Aquaman continues, the DCEU may finally be on the right track to rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe.