In April, the Sonic the Hedgehog fandom was abuzz with excitement and a hint of skepticism concerning the simultaneous release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Disney’s prequel to The Lion King, titled Mufasa.
Both films debuted this past weekend on December 20, and the fanfare around Sonic has only intensified.
Not only has Sonic 3 received better reviews than Mufasa, but it also dominated the domestic box office with a remarkable $62 million, while Mufasa trailed behind at $35 million.
This unexpected result has thrilled Sonic fans who doubted that the beloved blue blur could go head-to-head with a film from such a cherished Disney franchise.
International Box Office Dynamics
Nevertheless, Mufasa still holds an advantage in the international box office arena.
Thanks to an earlier global release, it has racked up impressive revenues overseas.
Meanwhile, Sonic 3 is poised to premiere in various international markets, including Japan, in the coming weeks.
Given its strong performance in the U.S., Sonic 3 could very well translate that success to other countries.
In a bid to highlight its achievements, Disney took to social media to tout Mufasa as the “#1 movie in the world,” a claim that elicited pushback from Sonic supporters.
Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to challenge Disney’s portrayal, prompting the company to retract statements that mentioned Sonic 3.
Future Prospects for Sonic
As we look ahead, the international competition between the two films remains unresolved.
However, Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s domestic success has already set the wheels in motion for a sequel, expected to arrive in theaters come spring 2027.
The film teases new characters in its post-credits scene, although their roles within the established live-action universe are yet to be unveiled.
Fan Reactions and Industry Impact
In summary, Sonic 3’s unexpected triumph over Mufasa at the U.S. box office has created a vibrant dialogue among fans and industry observers alike, setting the stage for future installments in the Sonic franchise.
Source: Kotaku