Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opened at number 1 this weekend, pulling in $60 million domestically - enough to top Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King, which debuted with $35 million.
Why it matters: Paramount's third Sonic film pulled off a rare win during the pre-Christmas window, a period typically dominated by Disney releases.
Daily domestic box office performance by total gross
| Date | Sonic 1 (2020) | Sonic 2 (2022) | Sonic 3 (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | $3,000,000 | $6,250,000 | $6,500,000 |
| Friday | $20,924,364 | $26,381,096 | $25,449,555 |
| Saturday | $41,476,989 | $53,279,481 | $44,770,501 |
| Sunday | $58,018,348 | $72,105,176 | $60,102,146 |
By the numbers: Sonic 3 fell short of its 2022 predecessor's $72.1 million opening, but secured the second-best debut in the movie franchise's history.
- While Sonic 3 leads domestically, Mufasa holds the global edge with a $122 million international debut.
- However, Mufasa's $35 million domestic debut is a drop compared to 2019's The Lion King, which opened to $191 million.
What to watch: Sonic 3 expands overseas later in December, with holiday ticket sales in the U.S. likely determining its long-term momentum.
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