Mufasa: The Lion King in theaters for an extended run instead of quickly moving it to streaming has turned out to be a smart move. In an era where many studios push major releases online within weeks, Disney decided to take a different approach. While the film had a slow start at the box office, it gained momentum over time, especially during the holidays. Now, even after more than 40 days in theaters, it remains one of the top three movies in North America.
Despite its shaky beginning, Mufasa has pulled in impressive numbers. It has earned around $230 million domestically and an additional $423 million internationally, bringing its total to $653 million worldwide. Produced with a $200 million budget, the movie acts as both a prequel and a sequel to Disney’s 2019 remake of The Lion King, which grossed over $1.6 billion despite mixed reviews. While Mufasa hasn’t received universal praise either, audiences have embraced it.
The film, directed by Barry Jenkins, holds a 58% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but the audience score is much stronger at 89%. This divide between critics and viewers became apparent after the film’s rough opening weekend in December, when it had to compete with Sonic the Hedgehog 3. At first, Mufasa earned only $35 million—just half of what Sonic 3 made. But instead of fading away, it bounced back in the following weeks, adding nearly $200 million since then.
A Big Win for Disney
Mufasa’s unexpected success has contributed to Disney’s record-breaking year. The studio became the first (and only) one to surpass $5 billion in global revenue in 2024. Other major films that helped reach this milestone include Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Moana 2, each crossing the $1 billion mark worldwide. While some expected Mufasa to hit that level as well, it’s clear that Disney’s live-action remakes don’t have the same massive appeal they once did.
Mufasa Is Heading to Digital Soon
For those who haven’t seen it yet, Mufasa is still playing in theaters. However, a digital release is on the horizon, giving fans a chance to experience the film at home. Whether it will perform as well on digital platforms remains to be seen, but for now, it has proven that patience in the box office game can sometimes pay off. Stay tuned for more updates!
