Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Tops Box Office

Paramount's "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" has taken the top spot at the box office with a strong debut of $62 million, significantly outperforming Disney's "Mufasa: The Lion King," which opened to just $35 million despite being featured in more theaters. With positive reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience approval (an 'A' on CinemaScore), "Sonic 3" is poised for success during the holiday season. The film, made for $122 million, is expected to surpass the combined total of the previous two Sonic films, which grossed over $700 million worldwide. Conversely, "Mufasa," which cost more than $200 million, will struggle to break even without significantly higher international sales, which currently stand at $87.2 million. The contrasting performances of these adaptations highlight the evolving landscape of movie genres, where video game films are gaining traction while some traditional franchises falter. A fourth "Sonic" installment is already in development, adding to the franchise's growing momentum.