Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opened with an impressive $62 million, outpacing Disney’s prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, which debuted at a lackluster $35 million.
Despite the head-to-head clash in the pre-Christmas frame, Sonic emerged victorious, buoyed by strong audience reception with an A CinemaScore and 89% positive PostTrak score, compared to Mufasa’s A- and 85% positive ratings.
However, Sonic’s performance over the weekend didn’t quite hit franchise-record highs. Saturday attendance dipped as families prioritized last-minute holiday shopping, with family turnout comprising 46% of ticket sales compared to Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s 59% family audience.
Nonetheless, Sonic 3’s opening ranks as the franchise’s second-best, behind Sonic 2’s $72.1 million debut. Paramount’s strategic play, led by Brian Robbins, marks their fifth No. 1 opening of the year, following hits like Mean Girls and Smile 2.
Looking ahead, Sonic 3 is poised for robust long-term performance. With a projected multiplier of 4.7x, its domestic total could surpass $291 million, significantly outshining Sonic 2’s $190.8 million. Regional performances were strongest in the East, South Central, and West, with AMC Burbank leading individual theater earnings at $61,000.
Meanwhile, Mufasa struggled to roar. Despite its $200 million budget and the legacy of 2019’s blockbuster The Lion King, the prequel failed to resonate with audiences.
While females made up 54% of its audience, overall interest skewed lower than expected. Mufasa’s domestic and international trajectory suggests an uphill battle for profitability, with its global opening falling short of the forecasted $180 million.
Critics and fans have voiced discontent, citing creative deviations from the original Lion King storyline. Social media traction for Mufasa lagged significantly, with 480 million followers across platforms compared to the 2019 film’s 924.7 million. By contrast, Sonic enjoyed higher social media heat, drawing 580 million followers.
As the Christmas box office heats up with contenders like Wicked and Moana 2, Sonic 3 is primed for sustained success, while Mufasa faces a steep climb both domestically and globally.