Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Dominates Box Office with $62 Million Debut, Outshining Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa's performance was notably below expectations
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 had a strong opening weekend at the North American box office, debuting with an estimated $62 million.
This performance not only secured the top spot but also marked a significant victory over Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, which earned $35 million during the same period.
Despite its higher budget of $122 million, Sonic’s debut was slightly below expectations, which had projected earnings between $55-$70 million.
However, it still surpassed the original Sonic film’s debut of $58 million and fell short of the sequel’s $72.1 million opening.
In contrast, Mufasa’s performance was notably below expectations, especially given its wider release and association with a well-established franchise.
The competition between these two films reflects broader trends in the box office landscape, where video game adaptations like Sonic have increasingly become reliable hits compared to traditional animated features.
With positive word-of-mouth and a strong holiday season ahead, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is expected to maintain its momentum in theatres.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
- Opening Weekend: $62 million
- Theatres: 3,761 locations
- Per Screen Average: $16,485
- Previews Earnings: $6.5 million on Thursday
- Daily Breakdown:
- Friday: $25.75 million
- Saturday: $19.5 million
- Sunday: $16.75 million
- Critical Reception: 86% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, “A” CinemaScore from audiences
Mufasa: The Lion King
- Opening Weekend: $35 million
- Theatres: 4,100 locations
- Critical Reception: 56% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, “A-” CinemaScore from audiences
