This Christmas, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is expected to top the box office in North America, outpacing Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King prequel. However, things may look different for Mufasa on the global stage. While Sonic 3 is set to dominate the domestic box office, it will have to face stiff competition from the beloved Lion King franchise internationally.
Sonic 3’s Strong Start at the Box Office
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has already made a strong showing, earning $6.5 million during Thursday previews. This is the best preview result in the entire Sonic franchise. The movie’s success follows the pattern of previous Sonic films, but it is clearly outperforming its predecessors. The first Sonic movie, released in February 2020, made $3 million in its Thursday previews and went on to gross $58 million in its opening weekend. The 2022 sequel also had strong preview earnings of $6.5 million, leading to a solid $72 million opening weekend.
This time around, Sonic 3 continues the trend of success. As the film races past its competition, including the Lion King prequel, it’s clear that audiences are excited for this next chapter of Sonic’s adventures.
Mufasa’s Disappointing Preview Numbers
In contrast, Mufasa: The Lion King has had a quieter start. The movie earned only $3.3 million in its Thursday previews, significantly trailing behind Sonic 3 and the 2019 live-action Lion King movie. The first Lion King live-action remake had a massive $23 million in Thursday previews, leading to a record-breaking $191 million opening. However, Mufasa has struggled to match the success of its predecessor so far.
Box Office Projections for the Weekend
Despite the differences in preview numbers, both films are expected to have strong opening weekends. According to projections, Sonic 3 is on track to make between $55 million and $60 million in its domestic opening weekend. This should be enough to secure the top spot at the box office in North America. On the other hand, Mufasa is also expected to have a solid opening, with estimates suggesting it will earn around $50 million during the same period.
While Sonic 3 will dominate the North American box office, Mufasa will have its international release this weekend. However, Sonic 3’s overseas release will be delayed until Christmas Day, meaning it won’t compete with Mufasa on the global stage just yet.
Critics and Audiences Show Favoritism to Sonic
In terms of reviews, Sonic 3 is winning over critics and audiences alike. The movie currently holds an impressive 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating positive feedback from critics. In comparison, Mufasa has earned only a 55% approval rating, which is much lower. Audience feedback is also favorable for Sonic 3, as the film received an A grade on CinemaScore, signaling strong support from moviegoers. Mufasa, however, earned a slightly lower A- grade.
Christmas Box Office: Looking Ahead
As both films continue to roll out over the Christmas holiday, it’s clear that Sonic 3 is positioned to have a strong run at the box office. While Mufasa is facing tough competition domestically, it may still perform well internationally. The race between these two films at the box office is shaping up to be a thrilling one, with Sonic 3 currently leading the pack.
