As the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 draws near, box office predictions are showing a strong performance for the blue blur. Despite Mufasa: The Lion King being released on the same day, Sonic 3 is predicted to outperform the Disney sequel in the domestic market. Analysts are forecasting that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will open at around $50-60 million domestically, possibly surpassing Mufasa by a $10 million margin.
While Sonic 3 is expected to dominate the U.S. box office, Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King is anticipated to lead internationally, as it will release a few days earlier. Globally, Mufasa is projected to rake in around $180 million before Sonic 3 can compete.
The success of Sonic 3 domestically is attributed to a strong marketing campaign and a popular cast, though early reviews for Mufasa are not as favorable, with the film currently holding a 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This is a stark contrast to Sonic’s previous movies, which performed well with audiences despite lukewarm critical reviews. Both earlier Sonic films scored highly on Rotten Tomatoes’ audience meter (over 90%), suggesting that fans might enjoy Sonic 3 regardless of critics’ opinions.
While Mufasa may have the global edge, it remains to be seen how the competition will play out when both movies hit theaters on December 20, 2024. With both films offering entertainment for animal lovers, moviegoers are certainly in for a treat this holiday season. Tickets are already available for both movies, with previous Sonic films streaming on Paramount+ and The Lion King available on Disney+.