After five weeks in cinemas, Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King has surpassed N500 million at the Nigerian box office.
The highly anticipated CG-animated prequel to the 2019 The Lion King continues to captivate audiences nationwide, securing its position as one of the highest-grossing films of 2024 in Nigeria.
According to data from the Nigerian box office, Mufasa: The Lion King earned N30.6 million between January 17 and 23, bringing its total to N530 million. Just two weeks earlier, the film had already surpassed N482 million in Nigerian cinemas.
Released on December 20, 2024, Mufasa: The Lion King debuted with a strong opening weekend haul of N64 million, according to West African distributor FilmOne.
Despite facing tough competition from other major releases like Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the film has shown remarkable staying power, maintaining consistent box office performance week after week.
Globally, Mufasa: The Lion King has been a commercial success, earning $601 million in just over a month. This includes $211 million from the U.S. domestic market and $389 million from international audiences.
However, the film still trails its predecessor, 2019’s The Lion King, which grossed over $1.6 billion globally, making it one of Disney’s most lucrative properties.
Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, best known for his acclaimed film Moonlight, Mufasa: The Lion King delves into the origins of the beloved Lion King characters. It serves as both a prequel and sequel to the 2019 hit.
Despite its ambitious narrative and photorealistic visuals, Mufasa: The Lion King has received mixed reviews from critics, currently holding a 58% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film features a stellar ensemble cast, with Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and John Kani reprising their roles from the 2019 remake. New cast members, including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, and Lennie James, bring fresh energy to the beloved franchise.
Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, with a 58% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Mufasa: The Lion King has resonated with audiences worldwide. Produced on a budget of over $200 million, the film overcame stiff competition from releases like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to find its groove, eventually topping box office charts in its third week.
In Nigeria, the movie’s success underscores the growing demand for blockbuster content, particularly family-friendly films.
