In the midst of Sonic's and Mufasa's Box Office Battle, Nosferatu Indulges
December turned out to be a significant month for movies, starting off somewhat slow but picking up pace with the releases of "Sonic 3" and "Mufasa". Both films managed to gain momentum during the holiday season, and as the year comes to a close, they're still locked in a fierce competition for the top spot, with the newer "Nosferatu" entering the mix.
According to Variety, Robert Eggers' gothic horror film came in third behind the two kid's movies and has grossed $40.3 million since its Christmas Day release. This is almost double its initial projection of $25 million, making it an all-time record opening for Focus Features. The film's word of mouth has been positive, the trailers have been impressive, and audiences appreciate Eggers' previous work. The mystery surrounding what Bill Skarsgaard's Count Orlok looks like in the film only adds to the curiosity. At the moment, "Nosferatu" is only available domestically, and it's unclear when Universal will release it internationally.
On the other hand, "Mufasa" and "Sonic" have seen growth both domestically and internationally. "Mufasa" earned $111 million in the US, bringing its global total to $328 million. The "Lion King" prequel has seen a positive trend since Christmas, and the same goes for "Sonic", which saw its US earnings jump to $137.5 million, bringing its global total to $211 million. As analyst Luiz Fernando pointed out, the third installment is facing some challenges in Japan, but it's expected to make the franchise a billion-dollar entity in the long run, paving the way for at least three more movies.
Speaking of billions, it's increasingly likely that "Moana 2" will join the billion-dollar club. Fernando further noted that the film's box office has grown to $882.5 million worldwide. It has a strong long-term potential, and the same could be said for the last releases of 2024 as we transition into 2025. Kicking off the New Year, we have "The Damned" on January 3 and "Den of Thieves 2: Pantera" on January 10, followed by Universal's "Wolf Man" on January 17.
For more io9 news, check out the latest releases for Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, updates on the DC Universe in film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
The upcoming year might see a surge in box office earnings, with anticipated releases like "The Damned" and "Den of Thieves 2: Pantera". Furthermore, technology plays a crucial role in the future of movie viewing, as Io9 reported on potential enhancements like virtual reality experiences for at-home movie watchers.
