The recently released film, ‘Mufasa: O Rei Leão,’ has emerged as a box office powerhouse, earning US$ 122 million globally during its opening weekend. Though its performance was impressive, it fell short of projections which expected around US$ 180 million. Directed by Barry Jenkins, this film serves as the prequel to the beloved ‘The Lion King’ saga, exploring the backstory of iconic characters.
On December 19, 2023, ‘Mufasa’ premiered to significant audiences, raking in R$ 20.87 million (approximately US$ 4 million) during its debut weekend alone. This blockbuster opening has solidified its position at the top of Brazilian box office charts, surpassing the animated sequel ‘Moana 2,’ which had reigned supreme for four weeks prior. According to ComScore, the film attracted about 903,200 viewers right out of the gate.
Despite the strong showing, the film’s opening day numbers were lower than the entries seen with the previous installment of ‘The Lion King,’ which premiered with approximately 3 million tickets sold back in 2019. Comparatively, ‘Moana 2’ settled for second place, with earnings of R$ 9.69 million and 456,900 viewers tracking the sequel’s tale.
The domestic sentiment continues with local drama ‘Ainda Estou Aqui’ hanging on to third place with about R$ 2.12 million, bolstered by its appeal as the most viewed national feature since the onset of the pandemic, attracting around 80,800 people to theaters.
Worldwide, the film saw significant earnings from international markets, with the largest contributions coming from the Chinese market—collecting US$ 7.8 million—followed closely by France at US$ 7.7 million, Mexico at US$ 7.1 million, and the UK with US$ 5.5 million. This strong international reception is pivotal for the film's overall box office performance as it seeks to build its financial foundation.
Despite being criticized by some, receiving only 57% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, audience reactions seem warmer. The film achieved an impressive A- rating on CinemaScore, reflecting positive viewer sentiment which could help its longevity at the box office.
Reviewing the weekend's full results, it’s clear ‘Mufasa: O Rei Leão’ led the global charge with its cinematic narrative, but it shares the spotlight with other significant titles. ‘Kraven – O Caçador’ proved to be popular too, engaging 79,400 spectators and earning R$ 1.73 million, marking the film's second weekend at play.
Overall, ‘Mufasa’ has marked itself as the fifth-largest opening weekends ever recorded within Brazilian cinema, celebrating yet another triumph for Disney as it continues to dominate the box office. With its strong start, driven by nostalgia and the gripping tales of the Lion King universe, audiences worldwide will be watching to see how the film continues to perform over the coming weeks.
Film analysts and enthusiasts alike await the coming holiday season, assuming it will bolster the film's revenue significantly as families begin to flock to theaters for celebratory outings. The allure of Disney's storytelling, paired with the combined success of its extensive catalog, leaves ‘Mufasa: O Rei Leão’ positioned comfortably among anticipated hits of the festive season!
