Disney's "Mufasa: The Lion King" and Paramount's "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" both family-friendly movie s closely compete at North American box office each grossing nearly 60 million dollars during the five-day Christmas period. Based on estimations Sonic 3 is very slightly ahead in traditional weekend earnings amassing 38 million dollars from Friday through Sunday with a 59.8 million gross since Christmas from its 3769 venues while Mufasa secured first position in five-day sales totaling 37.1 million dollars in traditional weekend sales from a 63.9 million total from its 4100 theaters. Both Mufasa and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 can find strong positive outcomes from their respective ticket sales during this holiday season.
Robert Eggers' 'Nosferatu' Remake and Bob Dylan Biopic 'A Complete Unknown' Debut Strongly over Extended Holiday Weekend
The new releases of “Nosferatu” from Focus Features and “ A Complete Unknown ” the Bob Dylan biopic from Searchlight did exceptionally well over this extended Christmas period. Both titles received good critical reviews and launched better than any predictions for ticket sales. Nosferatu with a directorial role by Robert Eggers stars Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok the title secured a solid third-place gross of 21.1 million dollars in traditional weekend sales with a total of 40.3 million across the extended five-day period.
'Nosferatu' and 'A Complete Unknown' Exceed Expectations with strong Box Office Openings
The film studio stated forty percent of its Nosferatu ticket sales occurred a day before showing almost doubling expectations for a 25 million opening sales. The R-rated movie featuring gothic story has a production price tag of 50 million and should have great lasting box office impact to surpass production costs. A Complete Unknown featuring Timothée Chalamet playing Bob Dylan gained sixth place earning 11.6 million over the weekend showing 23.2 million in the extended five-day stretch. For Searchlight it is the second-largest studio opening since 2009's Notorious movie earning over 20 million during the three day weekend. Bob Dylan the Like a Rolling Stone composer as character portrayal is shown by Chalamet.
A Complete Unknown another R rated musical has an over 70 million price tag facing difficult profitability obstacles since half sales go to theater owners. Fortunately the casting of Chalamet an increasingly bankable star after movies such as "Wonka" and "Dune: Part Two" helps a film with musical artist biography genre including movies like “Bob Marley: One Love” “Elvis” and “Bohemian Rhapsody”. David A Gross consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research notes “Nosferatu” will retain horror audience through Christmas time while “A Complete Unknown” will perform well with older audiences over the next month.”
'Mufasa' Rebounds and 'Moana 2' Remains Strong at Box Office While 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' Exceeds Expectations
Mufasa has recovered from a challenging initial showing domestically grossing only 35 million over opening weekend against Sonic the Hedgehog 3 with 111 million domestically plus 328 million globally in nine days. The movie costing 200 million shows audiences seem to enjoy it despite critical shortcomings and with continued interest could match box office expectations for other Disney films. Moana 2 has totaled over 882.5 million globally after five weeks hoping to cross the 1 billion dollar mark soon. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has totaled over 137.5 million domestically along with 211 million globally from high fan and critic response. The 122 million Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues to perform at such a high level a fourth film has already been greenlit for development by Paramount.
A24’s erotic thriller called “Babygirl” debuted eighth with 7.2 million earnings from 2115 screens. The movie stars Nicole Kidman in a lead role a film rated R earning mixed critical response including a 77% score at Rotten Tomatoes and “B-” grade at CinemaScore. Amazon MGM’s sports drama called “The Fire Inside” just missed top ten with 2 million in traditional weekend sales reaching only 4.33 million in five day totals from its 2006 theater runs . The movie is the first directed film from Rachel Morrison director of photography for “Mudbound” which stars boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields.
'The Fire Inside' Debuts Strong Critical Acclaim: Future Potential Seen In Ancillary Markets
The Fire Inside costing only 12 million shows great fan support scoring 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and “A” grade via CinemaScore. David A Gross notes “small opening” but with smaller budget a theatrical showing helps with ancillary value allowing the film to easily recover production costs. Universal’s Wicked and Disney’s Moana 2 rounded out the top five performers this holiday weekend. Wicked generated 19.4 million during traditional weekend showing 31.7 million across extended weekend amassing 424 million domestically with 634 million globally. Moana 2 earned 18.3 million dollars over traditional weekend and totaled 28.3 million during Christmas total showing nearly 395 million domestically showing massive global revenue. Without traditional mega films such as “Avatar” “Star Wars” or “Spider-Man” both Moana 2 and Wicked's continuing popularity aids greatly with overall ticket sales during busy time of year for theaters.
2024 Movie Box Office Recovers After Slow Period Closing Year Strong in Ticket Sales
Box office revenues once trailed 27.5% behind the prior year have now reached a point just 4% behind 2023 demonstrating a strong increase according to Comscore however are still 23% down when compared to 2019 revenue figures. Comscore's senior analyst Paul Dergarabedian states "final six weeks of 2024" brought forward "most eclectic and irresistible slate of films" creating significant momentum at box offices." Paul Dergarabedian provides regular insight and analytics on overall cinema market revenue and how films make impact on public viewing behaviors.