Mufasa: The Lion Kinghas claimed No. 1 yet again over New Year’s Day. Disney’s photorealistic CG-animated prequel to 2019’sThe Lion Kingpremiered the weekend before Christmas 2024, on the same day asSonic the Hedgehog 3.Sonic the Hedgehog 3took No. 1 at the domestic box office with a $60.1 million 3-day debut haul that easily trumped the $35.4 million earned by theMufasarelease. WhileSonictook No. 1 in their mutual second weekend as well, the Disney movie toppled it to claim the No. 1 spot on Christmas Day on Wednesday, as well as Thursday.
PerDeadline,Mufasa: The Lion Kinghas taken in an additional $10.3 million at the domestic box office on New Year’s Day, taking No. 1 overSonic the Hedgehog 3, which landed at No. 2 with $8.95 million. This isthe sixth individual day thatMufasahas hit No. 1 on the domestic chartsince it first topped the chart on Christmas Day. The only days that it has taken No. 2 since then were Friday and Saturday, which is what allowedSonicto take No. 1 during the traditional 3-day weekend.
What This Means For Mufasa: The Lion King
A No. 1 Weekend Could Be In Its Future
The disappointingMufasa: The Lion Kingopening weekendis well in the rearview mirror at this point, but it still remains to be seen if it can beatSonicduring their third head-to-head weekend. However, there are multiple factors working in its favor, beginning with the fact thatthere are no new wide releases providing competiton. Additionally, whileSonicdropped 38.4% in its second weekend,Mufasaactually rose 3.9%, bringing their weekend totals much closer than in their opening weekends. Below, see their week-on-week breakdown so far:
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
$60.1 million
-38.4%
$37 million
$35.4 million
+3.9%
$36.8 million
Because there wasa roughly $0.2 million difference between the two movies' performance in their second weekends, ifMufasa: The Lion Kingcan keep up its current level of audience growth, it would squeak by with a No. 1 weekend even ifSonicdid not drop at all in its third weekend. While a drop that slim is a possibility considering the fact that movies can have relatively consistent box office performances over the New Year’s window, it seems entirely possible, if not probable, that the Disney movie could finally triumph in its third frame at the domestic box office.
Our Take On Mufasa: The Lion King’s New Year’s Day Performance
Mufasa Has Defied Its Negative Reviews
This box office performance is remarkable considering the fact thatMufasa: The Lion Kingreviewshave been mixed to negative,earning it a 55% score on Rotten Tomatoes compared toSonic the Hedgehog 3’s Certified Fresh score of 87%.Sonicalso boasts a Verified Hot 96% audience score on the review aggregator platform, thoughMufasahas come much closer by that metric, earning a significantly better 88% score that may explain some of its slow-and-steady growth at the box office.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Cast
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
