AceShowbiz - In a showdown of big-budget family films, "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" from Paramount Pictures has sped past Walt Disney Co.'s "Mufasa: The Lion King" to claim the top spot at the box office. Over the weekend, "Sonic 3" debuted with an impressive $62 million in ticket sales, while "Mufasa" earned a more modest $35 million.

Despite its wider release in 4,100 theaters compared to "Sonic 3's" 3,761 locations, "Mufasa" fell short of expectations. While audiences gave the film an "A-" CinemaScore, critics were less enthusiastic, with only 56% of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes being positive. In contrast, "Sonic 3" received stronger reviews (86% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and a high audience score (an "A" on CinemaScore).

This victory for "Sonic 3" is a testament to the growing success of video game adaptations. The first two "Sonic" movies combined grossed over $700 million worldwide, and the third installment is poised to surpass both of its predecessors. A fourth "Sonic" movie is already in development.

Despite "Mufasa" disappointing domestic opening, it received a stronger international response, with $87.2 million in ticket sales. The film's production budget was over $200 million, making its overall box office performance crucial.

"Sonic 3" benefits from having no major franchise competition this Christmas, making it likely to dominate the box office for several weeks. The film features the return of Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, along with Tails the Fox (Colleen O'Shaughnessey), Knuckles the Echidna (Idris Elba), and Jim Carrey in dual roles as Dr. Robotnik and his grandfather.

Meanwhile, Disney's "Moana 2" remains strong in fourth place with $13.1 million, while the musical adaptation "Wicked" holds steady in third with $13.5 million. The Christian-themed "Homestead" from Angel Studios debuted with $6.1 million, rounding out the top five.

The box office performance of "Sonic 3" and "Mufasa" reflects the ongoing success of franchise films and the growing importance of the family audience. Despite "Mufasa's" mixed reviews, Disney can still celebrate a strong annual performance, with over $5 billion in ticket sales worldwide and three of the top four films of the year.

The holiday season box office is expected to continue to see strong attendance, with "A Complete Unknown" starring Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan and Robert Eggers' reimagining of "Nosferatu" among the most anticipated releases.

Top 10 of North American Box Office (Dec. 20-22, 2024):

1. "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" - $62 million
2. "Mufasa: The Lion King" - $35 million
3. "Wicked" - $13.5 million
4. "Moana 2" - $13.1 million
5. "Homestead" - $6.1 million
6. "Gladiator II" - $4.4 million
7. "Kraven the Hunter" - $3.1 million
8. "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" - $1.3 million
9. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" - $825,000
10. "Queer" - $364,240