The beginning of the year is usually a quieter time for movie releases, and January 2025 is no exception. Although there are some exciting new releases, a 2024 blockbuster has managed to climb back to the top of the box office this weekend. In an interesting turn of events,Mufasa: The Lion Kingis the number-one film at the box office this past weekend, in a MLK holiday weekend box office haul that is one of the lowest in years.
According to a box office report fromDeadline, the CGI Disney prequel directed by Barry Jenkins beat out new releases in a weekend that was the second lowest of the last ten years, not counting 2021, which was during the COVID-19 pandemic.Mufasatook in $16.5 million over the past four days, while the Keke Palmer and SZA-led comedyOne of Them Daystook the number 2 spot with around $14-15 million, barely losing out to the Disney film. Meanwhile, Leigh Whanell’sWolf Mantook in $12 million over the same period of time, earning the number three spot.
Despite receiving positive reviews from both critics and audiences (with a 97% critic and 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively),One of Them Days’low box office intake—lower than that of a movie that’s been out for a little under a month—is interesting and shows the staying power of a Disney IP. Moreover,Wolf Man’sunfortunate critical and audience reception has undoubtedly contributed to the film’s somewhat lackluster opening.
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’s’ Box Office Take Is Still Nowhere Near as Impressive as It’s Predecessor
Even with Disney’s reign over the early 2025 box office withMufasa, the film’s predecessor, Jon Favreau’s 2019 remake ofThe Lion King, brought in a much more impressive total haul in its global opening alone. The 2019 movie brought in $531 million from its international markets, whereas the 2024 film made $350 million in the same amount of time. While it is impossible to directly compare the two, the result is possibly to be expected thanks to the current ups and downs of the world of cinema.
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Still, it’s impressive thatMufasahas taken the top spot this weekend despite the new releases now available in theaters. Moreover, there are also relatively new releases likeGerard Butler’sDen of Thieves 2: Pantera, which came out only a week ago and is struggling to keep up with the competition after initial landing the top spot on its debut. This is also the second time thatMufasahas become the number 1 film at the box office since its release, mainly competing againstSonic the Hedgehog 3, which itself has fallen to the number 4 spot behindWolf Man.
Although the box office weekend fell short compared to previous years, plenty of new releases for the remainder of this month and February should lead to higher attendance in theaters. WithCaptain America: Brave New Worldbeing one of the first big releases of the year, the audience turnout should be better in the coming weeks,despite initial projectionsfor the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film not exactly being the best.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the live-action remake of the original Disney animated film, The Lion King. The film will follow Mufasa in his early days; further plot details are currently under wraps. The film will likely explore Mufasa and Scar’s relationship and how it became as strained as it did. In the film, Timon and Pumba will return, with Billy Eicher and Seth Rogen reprising their roles.
