Disney’s animated drama Mufasa: The Lion King claimed the top spot at the North American box office this weekend, surpassing Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 with an impressive $23.8 million, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.
This performance pushed Mufasa to a domestic total of $168.6 million over three weekends, solidifying its place among the top 15 releases of 2024, Variety reported. International earnings of $307 million bring the Barry Jenkins-directed prequel closer to the $500 million global milestone.
Sonic 3 Slows, Settles for Second
Sonicthe Hedgehog 3 slowed slightly as holiday audiences thinned, bringing in $21.2 million over the weekend. The video game-inspired comedy has now amassed $187.5 million domestically and $148 million internationally, for a robust $333.5 million global total.
Nosferatu Holds Steady in Third
Focus Features’ Nosferatu, a modern retelling of the 1922 silent horror classic, retained its third-place position, earning $13.2 million.
Moana 2 and Wicked Round Out Top Five
Disney’s Moana 2, which slipped to fourth place, added $12.4 million to its ticket sales. With $425 million earned domestically and $535 million internationally, its $960 million cumulative total positions it just shy of overtaking Despicable Me 4 ($969 million) as the third highest-grossing release of 2024. The film is also poised to join the exclusive $1 billion club.
In fifth place, Universal’s Wicked pulled in $10.2 million despite its recent availability on video-on-demand platforms. The musical fantasy continues to draw audiences to its enchanting take on the world of Oz.
Box Office Momentum
The year has started with strong showings across diverse genres, reflecting audience enthusiasm for animated dramas, video game adaptations, and classic tales reimagined for modern times. Industry watchers will be keen to see how these films perform in the coming weeks as new contenders enter the fray.
