Mufasa Becomes Only the Seventh 2024 Movie To Pass Major Global Box Office Milestone
Mufasa: The Lion King has officially surpassed a major milestone at the global box office, becoming the seventh movie of 2024 to do so. Directed by Barry Jenkins, this prequel to Disney’s 2019 live-action The Lion King follows an orphaned cub named Mufasa who encounters a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline, beginning an expansive journey with a group of misfits as they search for their destinies. With a December 2024 release, Mufasa: The Lion King received mixed reviews and earned a 58% Rotten Tomatoes score.
According to The Numbers, Mufasa: The Lion King has passed the $600 million mark worldwide, earning $601 million as of January 23. It has experienced strong performances across several international regions, with notable earnings in markets such as the UK, France, Mexico, and Germany. Internationally, the film has outperformed its domestic gross and earned $389.2 million. Compared to other regions, the film has earned $211.7 million domestically. Mufasa: The Lion King is the third 2024 Disney film to gross more than $600 million, and the seventh overall.
What This Means For Mufasa: The Lion King And Its Box Office Performance
Mufasa: The Lion King Is One of The Top Ten Highest Grossing Films Of 2024
Reaching $600 million at the global box office places Mufasa: The Lion King among the top ten highest-grossing films of the year. It falls behind Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Moana 2, Despicable Me 4, Dune: Part Two, and Wicked, and succeeds Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Venom: The Last Dance to place at no. 7. Compared to its predecessor, 2019's The Lion King, the film significantly underperformed against its $1.65 billion gross earnings.
In comparison to other films currently in theaters, Mufasa: The Lion King's numbers are impressive, especially considering its slow opening weekend, where it only earned $35.4 million domestically and came in behind Sonic the Hedgehog 3. To reach the heights it has, the movie has enjoyed incredibly long legs, likely spurred by the holiday season and strong word of mouth; it currently has an 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its continued performance in international markets also places it in strong company with the aforementioned films that have enjoyed both wide releases and long theatrical runs.
Our Take On Mufasa: The Lion King's Box Office Success
The Lion King Prequel Is Another Huge Success For Disney
With Mufasa: The Lion King crossing the $600 million threshold, Disney continues to demonstrate its proficiency at creating films that appeal to viewers across the globe. This success proves that while newer stories from a beloved franchise may emerge, familiar worlds and beloved characters still hold significant drawing power at the box office. As 2024 films' theatrical runs begin to close, it will be interesting to see if this trend continues.
Source: The Numbers
Mufasa: The Lion King
- Release Date
- December 18, 2024
- Runtime
- 118 minutes
- Director
- Barry Jenkins
- Writers
- Jeff Nathanson
- Producers
- Peter M. Tobyansen, Adele Romanski
Cast
Aaron PierreMufasa (voice)
Kelvin Harrison Jr.Taka (voice)
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
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