Mufasa: The Lion King Surpasses N500 Million at Nigerian Box Office After Five Weeks
After a successful five-week run in theaters, Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King has achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing N500 million at the Nigerian box office. This eagerly awaited CG-animated prequel to the 2019 adaptation of The Lion King continues to enthrall audiences, solidifying its position as one of the top-grossing films of 2024 in Nigeria.
Recent box office data indicates that the film generated N30.6 million in revenue between January 17 and January 23, bringing its cumulative total to N530 million. Just two weeks prior, it had already exceeded N482 million in earnings within Nigerian cinemas. Released on December 20, 2024, Mufasa opened with a strong weekend box office performance of N64 million, according to the West African distributor FilmOne.
Despite facing tough competition from other major films, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mufasa has demonstrated impressive staying power, consistently performing well at the box office week after week.
On the global stage, Mufasa: The Lion King has also been a commercial triumph, raking in $601 million in just over a month. This includes $211 million from the domestic U.S. market and $389 million from international audiences. However, it still falls short of its predecessor, the 2019 The Lion King, which grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide, becoming one of Disney’s top-grossing films.
Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, renowned for his work on Moonlight, Mufasa delves into the backstories of iconic Lion King characters, serving as both a prequel and sequel to the 2019 film.
While the ambitious narrative and stunning photorealistic visuals have garnered a mix of reviews from critics—currently holding a 58% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes—the film has managed to resonate well with audiences worldwide. The film features a talented ensemble cast, with Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and John Kani reprising their roles from the previous adaptation. New additions to the cast, including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, and Lennie James, bring fresh talent to the beloved franchise.
Despite the mixed critical response, Mufasa has found a solid footing in the box office landscape, overcoming stiff competition from other titles to reach the top of the charts during its third week. The film’s success in Nigeria underscores the growing demand for blockbuster films, particularly those geared toward family audiences. While Nollywood continues to thrive in the local market, Hollywood productions like Mufasa are also establishing a stronger presence, thanks to effective distribution networks and a dedicated fanbase.
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