Disney’s animated drama “Mufasa: The Lion King” reigned over North America’s box office this weekend, surpassing “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” to start the new year with an estimated $23.8 million take, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported . The showing pushed “Mufasa” to a domestic total of $168.6 million over three weekends, propelling it into the top 15 of 2024 releases, Variety reported.

With an additional $307 million earned internationally, the Barry Jenkins-directed film appears on track to reach the half-billion-dollar mark. “Sonic,” the Paramount action comedy about a speedy blue hedgehog, slowed a bit as the year-end holiday season wound down in the United States and Canada, taking in $21.2 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period. The videogame-based film has now compiled $187.5 million in domestic ticket sales and $148 million abroad, for a total of $333.5 million. Focus Film’s vampire pic “Nosferatu” - the latest remake of the 1922 silent classic inspired by Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” - held tight in third place at $13.2 million.

US actor Keith David and his wife Dionne Lea Williams

(From left) Tina Knowles, rapper Jay-Z, singer-songwriter Beyonce and their daughter Blue Ivy Carter attend the world premiere of Disney's "Mufasa: The Lion King" at the Dolby theater in Hollywood, California, December 9, 2024.--AFP photos

South African actor, director and playwright John Kani and members of his family pose during a photocall ahead South Africa’s premiere of Disney’s “Mufasa, the Lion King”.

South African actress Lorraine Moropa

Down one spot from last weekend was Disney blockbuster “Moana 2,” at $12.4 million. With accumulated ticket sales of $425 million domestically and $535 million overseas, its $960 million total puts it on the verge of passing “Despicable Me 4” ($969 million) as the third top-grossing release of 2024 and brings it close to the $1 billion milestone. In fifth place, also down one spot from last weekend, was Universal’s musical fantasy “Wicked.” This latest take on the magical world of Oz logged ticket sales of $10.2 million, even after becoming available for on-demand video viewing.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

“A Complete Unknown” ($8.1 million)

“Babygirl” ($4.5 million)

“Gladiator II” ($2.7 million)

“Homestead” ($2.1 million)

“The Fire Inside” ($1.2 million). — AFP