“Sonic 3” brings in $6.5 million in Thursday previews

It may not be “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” but “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” and “Mufasa: The Lion King” are set to have another star-studded weekend at the box office.

Paramount’s “Sonic” threequel has grossed $6.5 million at the box office in Thursday previews. Disney’s The Lion King prequel will announce its preview earnings this morning.

It’s going to be an uphill battle at the box office, but “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is expected to top the box office with $55 million to $60 million this weekend. “Mufasa: The Lion King” is on track to gross $50 million in North America, but will top the international box office with an estimated $130 million overseas and a solid $180 million worldwide opening be. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” doesn’t launch internationally until Christmas Day.

The first Sonic the Hedgehog film grossed $3 million in Thursday previews in February 2020 and opened with $58 million. Amid the pandemic, $319 million was raised worldwide. The sequel grossed $6.25 million in April 2022, en route to an opening of $72 million and a worldwide cume of $405 million.

Disney’s July 2019 remake of The Lion King was a huge success with $23 million in previews. The photorealistic film opened with a massive $191 million and grossed $1.66 billion, which is still the 10th highest-grossing film of all time.

The lower revenue is to be expected since threequels and prequels typically see diminishing returns. Aside from guaranteed blockbusters like “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” December releases don’t typically hit mega-top marks.

Jeff Fowler returns to direct Sonic 3, which stars Keanu Reeves as the evil Shadow the Hedgehog and Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald Robotnik are introduced. Ben Schwartz voices the blue speedster and the cast also includes James Marsden, Idris Elba, Tika Sumpter and more.

Mufasa: The Lion King is directed by Barry Jenkins and tells the story of how Mufasa and Scar, then known as Taka, grew up together before becoming enemies. Aaron Pierre voices Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. is Scar; They will be joined by Donald Glover, Beyonce, Mads Mikkelsen and more.