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SONIC boomed, but MUFASA moaned as moviegoers hit the multiplexes over the  pre-holidays weekend.

Paramount/Original Film’s PG action adventure comedy SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 kicked off #1 with $62M — way better than Hollywood handicappers’ $50-60M projections, but not close to the mid-weekend $70M buzz.

Disney’s PG animated adventure drama MUFASA: THE LION KING opened #2 with $35M, far below the $50M Hollywood buzz-ards anticipated. The lion cub could be overpowered over the holidays  by two still lively Thanksgiving holdovers — Universal/Marc Platt Productions’ WICKED and Disney’s MOANA 2.

This weekend’s domestic marketplace totaled $143M, per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, up 56.3% from the prior weekend and up 50.9% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $8.305B, down 4.38% from $8.686B in 2023. The previous weekend in 2024 was down 4.8% vs. 2023.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: SONIC 3’s $62M launch, per Comscore, was at 3,761 theatres ($16,485). It opens internationally for Christmas. S3, which reportedly cost $122M to produce, is tracking best for first choice with under-25 males (12 points over norm) and next best with men over 25 (seven points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics are happy  at 86% and audiences are cheering at 98%.

MUFASA was second with $35M at 4,100 theatres ($8,537), per Comscore. THE LION KING prequel did $87.2M internationally for a global cume of $122.2M. MUFASA, which reportedly cost $200M+ to produce, is tracking best and equally for first choice with women under & over 25 (10 points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics hate it at 56%, but audiences are a solid 89%, suggesting good word of mouth.

WICKED was third in weekend 5 with $13.5M (-40%) at 3,296 theatres ($4,096). The Jon M. Chu film, which reportedly cost $150M to produce, has done $383.9M domestic and $571.3M worldwide.

MOANA 2 finished #4 in weekend 4 with $13.1M (-51%) at 3,600 theatres ($3,639). It’s done $359.1M domestically and $790.2M worldwide.

Next weekend (5 days starting Wed., 12/25): Three studio titles will open wide Christmas Day. Searchlight Pictures’ R rated awards contender A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, will open at about 2,500 theatres. It’s tracking for first choice below norm with all demos. Rotten Tomatoes critics like it at 76%.

Focus Features’ R rated horror fantasy NOSFERATU will open at about 2,600 theatres. It’s tracking best for first choice with under-25 men (five points over norm) and next best with men over 25 (four points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics love it at 90%.

MGM/Amazon’s PG-13 sports bio-drama THE FIRE INSIDE will open at about 2,000 theatres. It’s tracking for first choice below norm with all demos. Rotten Tomatoes critics love it at 95%.