It might not be ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II,’ but ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ and ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ will go head-to-head for another big weekend at the box office. .
Paramount’s “Sonic” threequel grossed $6.5 million in Thursday previews. Disney’s “The Lion King” prequel is scheduled to report preview box office numbers later this morning.
It will be a close battle for box office revenue, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 expected to top the domestic box office this weekend with $55 million to $60 million. “Mufasa: The Lion King” is expected to gross $50 million in North America, but the global box office will be an estimated $130 million with a guaranteed overseas release of $180 million. will reign at the top. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” will not be released overseas until Christmas Day.
The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie grossed $3 million in Thursday screenings in February 2020, with an opening gross of $58 million. It ended up grossing $319 million worldwide during the pandemic. The sequel is expected to gross $6.25 million in April 2022, with an opening gross of $72 million and worldwide box office receipts of $405 million.
Disney’s “The Lion King” remake, released in July 2019, was a big hit at its $23 million screening. The photorealistic film was a huge box office hit with an opening gross of $191 million and a box office gross of $1.66 billion, and remains the 10th highest-grossing film of all time.
Trilogies and prequels typically have lower profits, so box office returns are expected to be lower. Outside of guaranteed blockbusters like “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” December releases typically don’t turn out to be big hits.
Jeff Fowler returns to direct Sonic 3, Keanu Reeves appears as the evil Shadow the Hedgehog, and Jim Carrey plays Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald Robotnik. play a role. Ben Schwartz voices the blue speedster, and the cast includes James Marsden, Idris Elba, and Tika Sumpter.
Mufasa: The Lion King was directed by Barry Jenkins and tells the story of how Mufasa and Scar, then known as the Hawk, grew up together before becoming enemies. Aaron Pierre voices Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. voices Scar. They will be joined by Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Mads Mikkelsen and more.
