The first weekend of 2025 has brought significant movement at the box office as Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” ascends to claim the top spot, surpassing “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” after weeks of close competition.
With schools set to reopen, family audiences made the most of their last holiday break, keeping theaters busy and revenues flowing for the year’s top-performing films.
‘Mufasa’ Roars to the Top
After a strong Friday performance of $7.6 million, Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King”, directed by Barry Jenkins, secured the No. 1 spot for the weekend. The prequel to the 2019 remake of “The Lion King” has now amassed over $150 million in North America, breaking into the top 15 domestic earners of 2024.
Despite its success, “Mufasa” remains shy of the massive opening numbers achieved by its predecessor, which earned $191 million domestically in its debut weekend. With a production budget exceeding $200 million, the film has performed steadily, especially overseas, though it has not yet achieved the status of a cultural phenomenon that the studio likely hoped for. Still, its climb to the top in this competitive weekend marks a significant milestone for the digitally-rendered musical.
‘Sonic 3’ Slows to Second Place
Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” slid into second place after earning $6.9 million on Friday. Now in its third weekend, the film is projected to rake in $20.7 million over the weekend, bringing its North American total to $170 million.
The film is on track to surpass the domestic total of its predecessor, “Sonic 2”, which earned $190 million in 2022. With a fourth installment already in development, the franchise continues to build momentum, cementing itself as a reliable performer for Paramount.
‘Nosferatu’ Proves a Specialty Hit
In third place, Focus Features’ “Nosferatu” continues to impress with its strong hold in the specialty market. The horror remake earned $4.2 million on Friday, marking a modest 42% drop from last week. The film’s domestic total is expected to reach $69 million by the end of the weekend, making it one of the most successful releases in Focus Features’ history.
Its slim drop of 39% from the previous weekend highlights its steady audience appeal, even as the holiday season winds down.
‘Moana 2’ Nears the $1 Billion Milestone
Disney’s “Moana 2” claimed fourth place with an additional $4.1 million earned on Friday. Now in its sixth weekend, the sequel has surpassed $900 million globally and is closing in on “Despicable Me 4” to become the third-highest-grossing film of 2024.
With the $1 billion milestone in sight, “Moana 2” could join other Disney juggernauts like “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2”, both of which crossed the billion-dollar mark last year.
‘Wicked’ Rounds Out the Top Five
Universal’s “Wicked” continues to attract audiences in its seventh weekend of release, projecting another $10.2 million over the weekend. Even with its availability on premium video-on-demand platforms, the adaptation of the beloved musical remains a strong draw. By the end of the weekend, the film’s domestic total is expected to reach $450 million, further solidifying its success as a box office contender.
Honorable Mention: ‘A Complete Unknown’ Holds Strong
Just outside the top five, Searchlight Pictures’ biopic “A Complete Unknown”, starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, is proving to have staying power. The film earned $2.6 million on Friday, marking a mere 29% drop from its opening weekend. It is projected to surpass $40 million domestic by Sunday, a strong result for a specialty film released during the competitive holiday season.
The holiday box office season is wrapping up on a high note, with a variety of films appealing to audiences across genres. From animated musicals to video game adaptations and historical biopics, this weekend’s lineup showcases the diversity of modern cinema. As “Mufasa” and “Sonic 3” battle for long-term dominance, the first weekend of 2025 has already set a promising tone for the year ahead at the box office.
The Information is Collected from Variety and AOL.
