Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 roared into the holiday frame with a $62 million domestic opening, decisively outpacing Disney’s Mufasa, which managed a more subdued $35 million. Sonic’s A CinemaScore and stellar PostTrak ratings (5 stars and 89% positive) further solidify its appeal, eclipsing Mufasa’s A- score and 85% positive feedback. Despite these figures, Saturday saw Sonic lose momentum, attributed to families prioritizing last-minute holiday shopping. Paramount’s faith remains firm, predicting robust post-Christmas business for Sonic.
Sonic 3 Stays Strong Despite Falling Short of Franchise Record
Although it didn’t surpass the $72.1 million opening of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3’s debut is the second-best in the franchise. It’s an impressive feat, especially considering Disney’s historical dominance of the pre-Christmas frame with blockbusters like Avatar and Star Wars. Paramount’s success marks its fifth No. 1 opening this year, joining hits like Mean Girls and Smile 2. Sonic 3’s trajectory suggests it could gross over $291 million domestically, outpacing Sonic 2’s $190.8 million final.
The film performed exceptionally well in regions such as the East, South Central, and West, with AMC Burbank leading at $61,000. Demographics leaned male (59%), with 18-34-year-olds making up 43% of the audience. Premium formats, such as PLF screens and motion seats, contributed 21% of the weekend’s earnings.
Mufasa’s Struggle at the Domestic Box Office
Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King faced challenges despite being part of the iconic Lion King franchise. The $200 million prequel garnered a lukewarm $35 million domestic opening. Female audiences dominated (54%), and while 3D formats accounted for 18% of its revenue, the film lacked the spark to compete with Sonic domestically.
Lion King fans have expressed dissatisfaction online about changes to the beloved canon. Social media traction for Mufasa reached 480 million, significantly trailing the 924.7 million garnered by the 2019 Lion King remake. The lack of memorable songs and emotional resonance left audiences unimpressed, with critics comparing it unfavorably to Disney’s own Moana 2. Still, Disney is banking on Mufasa’s international performance to offset domestic losses.
Competition Heats Up Among Family-Friendly Films
This Christmas season has turned into a battleground for PG-rated films. Universal’s Wicked and Disney’s Moana 2 are making waves alongside Sonic and Mufasa. Moana 2, in its fourth weekend, added $13.1 million for a total of $359 million domestically. Wicked contributed $13.5 million over the weekend, bringing its cumulative total to $383.9 million.
Disney’s Challenges with Legacy Prequels
Mufasa continues Disney’s struggle with legacy prequels. Comparisons to Mary Poppins Returns (2018), which opened with $23.5 million in three days, highlight the diminishing returns on Disney’s once-reliable live-action adaptations. While The Lion King prequel was expected to build on the 2019 film’s success, its opening is down a staggering 82% compared to the $191.7 million debut of Jon Favreau’s version.
Industry Optimism Amid Varied Performances
Despite mixed results from Disney, the overall box office has shown strength. The weekend gross of $145.6 million is 54% higher than the same period last year, showcasing a steady recovery for theaters. Smaller releases like Angel Studios’ Homestead and A24’s The Brutalist also made their mark, with Homestead earning $6 million and The Brutalist achieving a strong per-theater average of $66,700.
While Sonic the Hedgehog 3 races ahead in the domestic market, the question remains whether Mufasa can find redemption overseas. As the holiday season unfolds, family audiences will determine which film stands the test of time.
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