Having staged one thing of a comeback through the Christmas week — a traditionally profitable interval on the field workplace — Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King handed a few essential milestones each domestically and worldwide this weekend. The large-budget tent-pole, which serves as each a sequel and prequel to the 2019 remake of The Lion King, underperformed in its opening weekend, however was the best choice for household audiences through the prolonged Christmas body, out-performing direct competitors within the type of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2.

With $113 million domestically and one other $214 million from abroad markets, Mufasa has now handed the $300 million mark worldwide. The movie’s precise international haul now stands at a strong $303 million. That being stated, it’s pacing far behind its predecessor, which made round $450 million worldwide in its first weekend alone. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film finally grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide. Mufasa is directed by the Oscar-winning Barry Jenkins, who didn’t appear more than happy along with his expertise, based on a Vulture profile. He’s finest recognized for guiding the character-driven dramas Moonlight and If Beale Road Might Speak.

Mufasa is his worst-rated challenge, with a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 55%. That is solely marginally higher than the 51% RT rating of the 2019 movie, however approach under the 93% rating of the animated unique. In his evaluation, Collider’s Aidan Kelley described it as an enchancment over its predecessor, and wrote that “followers of the franchise and youthful generations will discover lots to love” concerning the film. Mufasa options Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. because the titular character, and the villainous Taka.

‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Has Fairly the Cliff To Climb

Produced on a reported finances of over $200 million, the film nonetheless has a variety of work to do earlier than it may be counted as successful. It’s nonetheless too quickly to place it in the identical class as Joker: Folie à Deux, which grossed a bit of over $200 million worldwide simply 5 years after the primary Joker cracked $1 billion worldwide; it’s additionally presumably too quickly to check it to fellow Disney sequel Alice: By means of the Wanting Glass, which made $300 million worldwide although the primary Alice In Wonderland grossed $1 billion.

You’ll be able to watch Mufasa in theaters, and keep tuned to Collider for extra updates.

Get Tickets