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Paramount’s new action comedy Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sped to the top of the North American box office this weekend, outdoing predictions with an estimated take of $62 million, one of the best December openings in years, industry watchers said on Sunday.

Based on the popular Sega video game, the latest sequel about the blue-maned supersonic creature rode positive reviews and strong audience scores to what analyst David A. Gross called “an excellent opening” for the hybrid animation/live-action genre.

He predicted it would “far out-earn Sonic #2,” which finished 2022 with $405 million worldwide. Jim Carrey plays mad scientist Dr. Ivo Robotnik, while Ben Schwartz (Sonic) and Keanu Reeves (Shadow) top the voice cast.

Disney’s new animated musical drama Mufasa: The Lion King, a prequel to The Lion King, placed second at $35 million for the Friday-through-Sun­day period, industry watcher Exhibitor Rela­tions reported.

Variety reported that that was far below predictions of around $50 million, especially for a movie that cost an estimated $300 million to produce and promote. But Gross predicted a “very good run,” with school children now enjoying year-end vacations in North America.

The film’s voice cast includes Aaron Pierre (Mufasa), Seth Rogen, Beyonce and Donald Glover (AKA Childish Gambino), and songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Universal’s Wicked raked in another $13.5 million as it slipped one spot to third place. The musical fantasy is the first leg of a two-part adaptation of the popular Broadway play set in the magical world of Oz.

Touted as an Oscar favourite, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande starring, the weekend haul brings the film’s global earnings to over $570 million.

Moana 2 set records when it opened over the Thanksgiving weekend, but the Disney film slipped to fourth place this weekend with an estimated $13.1 million in ticket sales.

Hawaiian-born Auli’i Cravalho reprises her voice acting role as the titular courageous young sea traveller, while Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson voices Maui for the sequel, which has worldwide earnings of over $790 million.

Originally published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2024