The box office buzz this weekend was all about the battle of the animal kingdom as Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 raced past Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King Prequel to claim the top spot domestically. While Mufasa roared louder globally, Sonic proved unstoppable at home.
Sonic Leads Domestic Box Office
Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 debuted to a strong $62 million domestically, nearly doubling Mufasa’s $35 million domestic opening. With fewer screens and intense competition, Sonic’s win highlights its widespread appeal among families and gaming fans alike. This marks another successful installment in Paramount’s adaptation of the beloved SEGA franchise, which stars Jim Carrey, Idris Elba, Ben Schwartz, and James Marsden.
Mufasa Rules the Global Market
On the international front, Mufasa dominated with $122 million across 53 territories, easily outpacing Sonic‘s $62 million global total from just 12 territories. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the live-action prequel brings a fresh take on the beloved Lion King legacy. However, critics have been mixed, with some questioning whether Jenkins’ artistic flair aligns with Disney’s formulaic storytelling.
Competition Stays Fierce
The box office showdown reflects a changing landscape dominated by high-profile releases. Recent weeks have seen Universal’s Wicked and Disney’s Moana II battling for supremacy. Over the weekend, both films earned around $13 million domestically, with Wicked edging out Moana II to claim the third spot. Cumulatively, Wicked has grossed $384 million domestically, while Moana II leads globally with $790 million.
Other Box Office Highlights
- Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II: Held steady at sixth place in its fifth week, continuing its strong run.
- Sony’s Kraven the Hunter: Struggles in its second week, failing to gain traction with audiences.
- Angel Studios’ Homestead: A post-apocalyptic thriller with Christian themes, debuted at $6 million—a solid performance for an indie release.
- Holiday Favorites: Dwayne Johnson appears twice in the top 10 with Moana II and Amazon’s Christmas comedy Red One.
- Warner Bros.’ The War of the Rohirrim: Ninth place honors go to this animated Lord of the Rings spin-off.
- Lionsgate’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Rounds out the top 10 in its seventh week, proving holiday classics have staying power.
Upcoming Releases to Watch
Looking ahead, the upcoming holiday weekend promises an arthouse showdown. Timothée Chalamet stars as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, while Nicole Kidman delivers a chilling performance in Babygirl. Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu adds a gothic twist to the competition, ensuring there’s something for everyone as 2024 kicks off.
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