> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://news.tailschannel.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Sonic at the Box Office - pre-debut: Third film sets franchise record with $6.5M in Thursday previews
- URL: https://news.tailschannel.com/third-sonic-film-sets-franchise-record-with-6-5m-in-thursday-previews/
- Published: 2024-12-21T02:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-01-31T17:05:10.000Z
- Description: Critics are responding more favourably to Sonic 3, which holds an 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Author: Tails' Channel
- Tags: Numbers Never Lie, Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, #news

Paramount's third *Sonic the Hedgehog* film is off to a fast start, earning $6.5 million in Thursday previews - the best ever for the movie franchise.

**Why it matters:** The strong preview numbers put *Sonic 3* on track for a $60 million-plus opening, continuing the series' box office success. 

**By the numbers:** *Sonic 3* outpaced the 2022 movie sequel, which earned $6.25 million in previews before a $72.1 million opening.

- The first *Sonic* film brought in $3 million in previews, leading to a $58 million debut.

| 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      | $0               |
| Saturday | $41,476,989      | $53,279,481      | $0               |
| Sunday   | $58,018,348      | $72,105,176      | $0               |

**Meanwhile,** Disney's *Mufasa: The Lion King* posted $3.3 million in previews, despite premium IMAX availability.

- *Mufasa* was initially projected to open north of $50 million, but its preview numbers suggest a more modest debut, per Deadline.

**What to watch:** *Sonic 3* has an 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 98% audience score. *Mufasa* sits at 57%.

- While *Sonic 3* is expected to dominate the weekend, Disney is banking on strong holiday legs for *Mufasa*, with Christmas Day historically driving a surge in ticket sales.