Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

The sequel to the 2018 outing (and final film of the DCEU) has Jason Momoa’s half human/half Atlantean superhero trying to balance life both on land and underwater. He’s married Mera (Amber Heard), has a son, taken his rightful place as on the throne of Atlantis, and is still kicking ass when called for, though not as much lately. Lately, his job is more about sitting through boring council meetings and trying in vain to convince the members that the increasing threat of global warming means they need to reveal themselves to the surface world and join up with the humans. But that all changes when his old nemesis Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) returns looking for revenge for his father’s death. Manta (aka David Kane) has spent the time since the original movie searching for Atlantean tech to fix his suit, and instead stumbles on an ancient trident once wielded by the ruler of Necrus, the titular Lost Kingdom. The only way to find Black Manta and stop him from destroying everyone Aquaman loves is to team up with Orm (Patrick Wilson), the half brother he defeated in the first film. Though in a slightly reduced role, Amber’s Mera is still fighting alongside her hubby in tight, low-cut spandex, turning Atlantis into Hot-lantis every time she uses her mam-tastic mermaid magic.