Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” is poised to maintain its reign atop the box office charts for the second consecutive weekend, capitalizing on the absence of major new releases. Initial projections suggest a robust $24.5 million haul from 3,925 North American theaters, bringing its cumulative domestic earnings to an estimated $169.2 million. This performance marks a significant rebound from its somewhat subdued opening weekend, where it debuted in second place behind “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” The Christmas holiday period proved pivotal for the “Lion King” prequel, propelling it to the top spot and solidifying its box office dominance into the new year. This continued success underscores the enduring appeal of the Lion King franchise, demonstrating its ability to draw audiences even in a competitive market.
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” while relinquishing its first-place position, is projected to maintain a strong presence at the box office. Estimates predict a $20.7 million weekend gross from 3,746 theaters, bringing its total domestic earnings to approximately $187 million. This consistent performance solidifies “Sonic’s” position as a major player in the holiday movie season and highlights the enduring popularity of the video game franchise adaptation. The film’s continued success indicates a strong audience connection and the potential for continued box office performance in the coming weeks.
Disney’s “Moana 2” continues to demonstrate impressive staying power, projected to secure the third spot with a $13.2 million weekend from 3,345 theaters. This brings the animated sequel’s cumulative domestic earnings to a remarkable $425.9 million. The film’s sustained success showcases its widespread appeal and its ability to resonate with audiences across demographics. “Moana 2’s” strong performance further solidifies Disney’s dominance in the animated film market and highlights the studio’s knack for crafting enduring family-friendly entertainment.
Further down the charts, the critically acclaimed horror film “Nosferatu,” directed by Robert Eggers, is expected to claim the fourth position. Projections indicate a $13.1 million weekend gross from 3,132 North American theaters, raising its total domestic earnings to approximately $69.3 million. This performance signifies a notable achievement for a horror film in a market often dominated by blockbuster franchises. “Nosferatu’s” success is a testament to Eggers’ distinct directorial style and the film’s ability to attract both genre enthusiasts and a broader audience.
Rounding out the top five is the musical adaptation “Wicked,” projected to earn $10.2 million from 3,287 locations. This brings the film’s total domestic earnings to an impressive $450.7 million. Despite its recent digital release on premium video-on-demand platforms, “Wicked” continues to attract theatergoers, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the popular Broadway musical and its successful transition to the big screen. The film’s sustained box office performance even after its digital release underscores the enduring draw of the theatrical experience for many audiences.
This weekend’s box office landscape clearly demonstrates the power of established franchises and familiar properties to draw audiences during the holiday season and beyond. While no new major releases challenged the existing lineup, the continued success of films like “Mufasa,” “Sonic,” “Moana,” “Nosferatu,” and “Wicked” highlights the importance of strong storytelling, brand recognition, and appealing characters in driving box office performance. The absence of major newcomers provided an opportunity for these established films to solidify their positions and continue to capitalize on existing audience interest. These projections, of course, are subject to change as actual figures become available throughout the weekend and culminate in the final box office report released on Monday. These final figures will provide a more definitive picture of the weekend’s box office landscape and offer further insight into audience preferences and trends.
