‘Mufasa’ Tops Christmas Box Office, ‘Nosferatu’ Opens Strong

Christmas proved to be a strong day for movie theaters across the United States, with Disney’s highly anticipated “Mufasa: The Lion King” roaring to the top of the holiday box office. According to multiple reports, the live-action prequel to the beloved animated classic brought in an impressive $14.7 million on Christmas Day alone, cementing its position as the number-one film of the festive season. Released on December 20, “Mufasa: The Lion King” initially debuted with a strong $13.3 million opening day but experienced a slight dip in ticket sales over the weekend. The holiday surge, however, proved to be a significant rebound, bringing the domestic total to remarkable new heights. Disney’s success with this film is another testament to the enduring appeal of its live-action adaptations, which continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

While “Mufasa” dominated the Christmas box office, another film made a notable impression. Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated horror film “Nosferatu” premiered on Wednesday, earning $11.5 million on its opening day. The gothic reimagining of the vampire legend, starring Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe, and Lily-Rose Depp, could become one of Eggers’ most successful films to date. Early projections suggest that the eerie period piece may surpass the opening figures of his previous films, including “The Lighthouse” and “The Witch,” solidifying his reputation as a master of atmospheric cinema.

Adding to the competition during this crowded release window was “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” which also hit theaters on December 20. The family-friendly sequel grossed $10.3 million on Christmas Day, bringing its domestic total to an impressive $88 million. The third installment in the popular franchise continues to draw fans of all ages, maintaining its momentum as a box office heavyweight in the holiday season.

Meanwhile, the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” starring Timothee Chalamet as the iconic musician, premiered on Christmas Day with a respectable $7.2 million. This figure includes $1.4 million from early previews on Tuesday. According to industry estimates, the film is expected to bring in $22 million during its first five days, signaling a solid debut for a music-centered drama in a competitive market.

Musical sensation “Wicked,” which has been enchanting audiences for over a month, showed no signs of slowing down. The adaptation of the hit Broadway musical earned $5.4 million on Christmas Day, boosting its cumulative domestic earnings to an impressive $397.9 million. The movie’s enduring popularity has made it one of the year’s standout successes, with fans continuing to flock to theaters for its magical storytelling and memorable music.

December has proven to be a lucrative month for Hollywood, with “Moana 2” emerging as the top performer. The animated sequel has already amassed $366 million domestically and $806 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo. Its stellar performance highlights the continued dominance of animated family films during the holiday season, with “Moana 2” becoming a must-watch for audiences worldwide.

The 2024 U.S. box office has experienced a robust rebound, generating $8.2 billion across more than 635 releases. Major blockbusters have led the charge, including “Inside Out 2” with $653 million, “Deadpool & Wolverine” with $637 million, and “Wicked” with $392 million in domestic earnings. However, while the industry has made significant strides, it still trails behind pre-pandemic figures, when annual domestic box office revenues regularly exceeded $11 billion between 2015 and 2019. The highest-grossing year since the pandemic began remains 2023, which brought in $8.9 billion. That year’s success was driven by massive hits like “Barbie” ($636 million), “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” ($575 million), and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” ($381 million).

Despite these gains, the box office recovery remains uneven, with some genres and studios finding greater success than others. Animated features, superhero films, and live-action adaptations have consistently performed well, while mid-budget dramas and independent films continue to face challenges in drawing audiences back to theaters. The Christmas box office serves as a snapshot of broader trends in the film industry, with studios leveraging the holiday period to release some of their most high-profile projects. The competition this year reflects the diversity of options available to audiences, ranging from animated adventures and musical extravaganzas to horror films and biographical dramas. As “Mufasa: The Lion King” and “Nosferatu” set the tone for the holiday box office, the coming weeks will reveal whether these films can maintain their momentum or face stiff competition from upcoming releases. With several anticipated titles still on the horizon, the holiday season is shaping up to be an exciting and lucrative time for moviegoers and studios alike.