Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Outpaces Mufasa: The Lion King in Domestic Box Office Debut
Sonic Speeds Ahead
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has sprinted to an impressive start, earning $62 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office. This debut comfortably surpasses Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, which managed $35 million in the same timeframe.
Global Story Shifts
While Sonic dominates domestically, Mufasa: The Lion King took the lead globally. Disney’s live-action prequel brought in $87.2 million internationally, boosting its total to $122.2 million worldwide. In contrast, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has yet to release in several international markets, making a full global comparison premature until next weekend.
Paramount’s Perspective
Paramount has reason to celebrate. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 surpassed the opening weekend of the original 2020 Sonic film ($58 million) and is tracking just below 2022’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($72 million). With the holiday season ahead, the studio is banking on continued strong performance to maintain momentum into the New Year.
A Tough Start for Mufasa: The Lion King
Disney faces challenges with Mufasa. Despite the film’s $200 million production budget and an estimated $100 million promotional campaign, its domestic debut has been labeled “terrible” by Variety. Disney now hopes positive word-of-mouth during the holiday season will help the film recover.
IGN’s review of Mufasa offered a promising 8/10, describing it as “a strong, uncomplicated effort that should charm kids.” Directed by Barry Jenkins of Moonlight fame, the prequel has drawn praise for its storytelling and visual appeal, despite initial skepticism from some film enthusiasts.
Sonic’s Future Is Bright
The strong opening for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has already paved the way for the franchise’s next chapter: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is officially confirmed. Fans can also look forward to exploring the film’s deeper details, including the Sonic 3 ending and behind-the-scenes insights like the Big the Cat cameo that almost made the cut.
Looking Ahead
As Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues its international rollout and Mufasa: The Lion King seeks a holiday rebound, the box office race remains dynamic. For now, Sonic leads the pack domestically, while Disney holds the global crown.
