‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Is Tracking Towards a $50 Million Debut and Second Place at the Box Office
This Friday, we will see a clash of the titans when Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King and Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 both hit theaters.
While Disney has dominated the box office in 2024, this time, it looks like they will be coming in second place.
Photo: Disney
According to a new report from Variety, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is set to gross between $55 and $60 million at the domestic box office, while Mufasa will come up short at $50 million.
‘Mufasa’ Has Free Reign Overseas
The good news for Disney is that Sonic will not be in overseas theaters until Christmas Day. With little competition, Mufasa is tracking towards a $130 foreign debut and a $180 million global opening.
A $180 million opening would be a good start for Mufasa, which will have to show some legs at the box office to reach the heights of both 2019’s The Lion King or the trio of Disney blockbusters released earlier this year.
By comparison, Disney’s live-action version of The Lion King opened to an astounding $191.77 million at the domestic box office and would eventually gross over $1.6 billion.
Disney Needs the Film to Have Staying Power
While it remains unlikely that Mufasa will be able to reach such historic heights, if the film can get off to a strong start, it should have staying power.
Photo: Paramount
Mufasa and Sonic should have free reign at the holiday box office with no Marvel, Star Wars, or Avatar film on the docket this holiday season. Traditionally, movies released around the holidays can rebound from softer debuts with extended runs.
Photo: Disney
If Mufasa can stick the landing, 2024 will end on a high note for Disney. With 2025 already looking like a historic year for the studio, it looks like Disney is once again king of the box office.
