Mufasa: The Lion King has passed major box office milestones, reaching over $328 million globally after only nine days. This photorealistic CG-animated prequel to the 2019 film has proven to have traction among family audiences, particularly during the lucrative holiday season. Although it opened with less than expected at the domestic box office—bringing in just $35.4 million and ranked number two behind Sonic The Hedgehog 3—it has shown significant growth.
The movie, directed by Barry Jenkins, portrays the early life of Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre) and the rivalry with his adopted brother Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), who later becomes the notorious Scar. Jenkins, known for his critically acclaimed films such as Moonlight, has created his worst-rated project according to Rotten Tomatoes, with the film receiving just 55% on the critic aggregator. Nonetheless, Collider’s Aidan Kelley noted it as “an improvement over its predecessor” and suggested, "fans of the franchise and younger generations will find a lot to like" about the movie.
Despite the positive reviews, Mufasa still faces tough competition being compared to the original film, which grossed over $1 billion. This sequel earlier received mixed reviews, reflecting perhaps the complex legacy it is attempting to build upon. Nevertheless, there is optimism as the film is expected to benefit from holiday viewing patterns. According to Variety, it appears to be joining the trend where many films released around Christmas start slow but gain momentum as families flock to theaters during school breaks.
The Disney film has already positioned itself as one of the biggest hits of 2024, becoming the 17th highest-grossing movie of the year. It is speculated to potentially exceed $900 million by the end of its run, making it one of the top-grossing films alongside anticipated releases such as Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2. Dan Golding, contributing to the narrative, emphasized the family appeal during holiday seasons often leads to sleeper hits, inviting audiences to make repeat trips to theaters during festive times.
Despite its fast-paced climb to box office success, Mufasa will likely not capture the billion-dollar success of its predecessor. Nonetheless, its surge past the $300 million mark early indicates resilience and substantial family-market appeal, leading to speculation about its longevity at the box office.
After facing struggles with previous releases like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels, Disney's successful rebound through Mufasa marks 2024 as potentially the year for their theatrical comeback. Analysts are optimistic about its performance continuing to build due to strong holiday traffic, offering reassuring signs for the company after last year’s downturn.
The film explores family dynamics and sibling rivalry, connecting with audiences who appreciate heartfelt stories. While it captures nostalgia, young audiences are responding well to the updated animation and storytelling techniques, making Mufasa relevant for both seasoned fans and newcomers to the franchise.
Overall, whether discussing box office numbers or audience sentiments, Mufasa: The Lion King is stamping its mark as one of Disney's significant titles of the holiday season and 2024. It remains to be seen how far the film can climb, especially as the cinematics appear to resonate with its targeted demographics, promising engaging theater-going experiences.