In an unexpected twist that has moviegoers buzzing this holiday season, Paramount's *Sonic the Hedgehog 3* has sprinted past Disney's *Mufasa*, raking in an impressive $70.5 million during its opening weekend. This remarkable figure significantly outpaces Disney's *Mufasa*, which is projected to secure between $36 million to $38 million in its debut. It's a tough reality for Disney, especially considering the $200 million investment in *Mufasa*, the anticipated prequel to the blockbuster *Lion King*.

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On opening day alone, *Mufasa* garnered just $13.3 million in comparison to Sonic's impressive $25.75 million. With family audiences looking for entertainment, the competition has been fierce, particularly with other family-friendly films in theaters, including *Moana 2* and *Wicked*. Interestingly, mostly male audiences are gravitating toward *Sonic*, recorded at 66%, while *Mufasa* attracted a more balanced demographic, skewing towards female viewers at 53%.

Despite the holiday multiplier effect that could elevate film earnings, the forecast doesn't look good for Disney. In comparison to the spectacular openings of previous Disney films, this performance is a stark disappointment. For instance, *Avatar 2* opened to a staggering $134 million and *Star Wars* films crossed the $250 million threshold. The losses from *Mufasa* are staggering -- down over 81% from the original *Lion King*'s remarkable $191.7 million opening.

While *Mufasa* has received an "A" CinemaScore, it seems it could struggle to secure significant box office success, especially with viewers preferring *Sonic 3*. Prospects of recovery for *Mufasa* hinge on international markets where the *Lion King* brand historically has thrived. Yet, the shadow of *Joker: Folie à Deux*, which suffered a colossal drop in its second weekend, looms large over Disney.

In light of the underperformance, some industry experts are raising eyebrows at Disney's recent leadership changes, wondering if the departure of Sean Bailey as Disney Motion Pictures Group President is a symptom of deeper problems within the company’s movie strategy. Critics point out the lack of emotional depth and catchy tunes in *Mufasa*, as its narrative overload might have drained the soul from a beloved franchise.

As families flock back to theaters post-Christmas, the final box office results will unveil the true fate of *Mufasa*. Can it recover? Many hope that a strong international performance could help it surpass its production budget and find its footing.

Moreover, this pre-Christmas weekend box office is on track to reach a total of $154.4 million—63% higher than the same frame last year. Among other releases, *Homestead*, a western starring Neal McDonough, is expected to bring in around $5.5 million, showcasing a growing niche for less mainstream films amidst the family favorites.

As excitement builds around *Sonic the Hedgehog 3*, which might set a franchise opening record, eyes are on Disney and the once-mighty *Lion King* franchise: Can they reclaim the throne, or has the kingdom of animated classics lost its luster?