Get ready for a wild ride at the global box office, where the kings of Disney and the blue-chip studios are putting up a fierce battle for the top spot. As the year winds down, several highly-anticipated films are roaring to new heights, breaking box office records and defying expectations. From the majestic reign of ‘Mufasa,’ which has now surpassed $500 million worldwide, to the oceanic odyssey of ‘Moana 2,’ which is rapidly closing in on a staggering $1 billion, it’s clear that the competition is heating up. Meanwhile, ‘Sonic 3’ is speeding towards a major milestone of its own, racing towards a whopping $400 million at the global box office. In our latest update, we’ll dive into the latest numbers, analyze the trends, and explore what’s driving these box office behemoths to unprecedented success.
Box Office Milestones and Records
Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King has reached a significant milestone, crossing the $500M mark globally, with a total of $539.7M in worldwide box office sales. This achievement solidifies the film’s position as the No. 9 global release of 2024, with $350.9M of its total coming from international box office sales, making it the No. 8 offshore release. The film’s overseas performance saw a 48% drop, earning $27.9M over the weekend.
The top 5 markets for Mufasa: The Lion King to date are France, with $33.7M, the UK, with $29.9M, Mexico, with $24.6M, Germany, with $24M, and Italy, with $21.8M. These numbers demonstrate the film’s widespread appeal and its ability to perform well in diverse markets.
Moana 2 Nears $1B Mark
Disney’s Moana 2 is closing in on the $1B mark, with an $11.1M international weekend, bringing its overseas total to $554.9M and its global total to $989.8M. When Moana 2 crosses the $1B threshold, it will become Disney’s third $1B release in 2024, further solidifying the studio’s dominance in the global box office. The film’s current weekend saw a 58% drop overall, with strong holds in key markets such as China, Argentina, Spain, and Australia.
Some notable statistics for Moana 2 include its position as the 2nd highest-grossing animated release of all time in Brazil and France, and its status as the highest-grossing Walt Disney Animated Studios release ever in several countries, including France, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico. The film’s top 5 markets to date are France, with $60.6M, the UK, with $49.7M, Germany, with $41.7M, Mexico, with $30.2M, and Australia, with $29.5M.
Sonic 3 Racing to $400M WW
Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is making rapid progress, adding $20.3M from 62 markets over the weekend, with a 55% drop. The film’s total overseas sales now stand at $180.3M, and its global total has reached $384.8M. The top 5 markets for Sonic 3 to date are the UK, with $25.9M, Mexico, with $18.8M, France, with $15.8M, Australia, with $13.2M, and Brazil, with $9.2M.
Movie Performances and Stats
The international box office has seen a mix of performances from various films. Universal/Focus’ Nosferatu has continued to impress, surpassing $50M internationally and reaching a global total of $135.8M. The film’s overseas performance has been remarkable, with it becoming Robert Eggers’ biggest movie ever in 49 markets, including the UK, Mexico, Italy, Germany, and Australia.
Overseas Performance of Top Films
A closer look at the overseas performance of top films reveals some interesting trends. Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King and Moana 2 have both demonstrated strong holds in key markets, while Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has shown a significant drop. Universal’s Wicked, on the other hand, has continued to cast a spell overseas, nearing the $700M mark worldwide.
The performance of these films can be attributed to various factors, including their marketing strategies, audience reception, and cultural relevance. For instance, Moana 2 has resonated well with audiences in Latin America, where it has become the highest-grossing Walt Disney Animated Studios release ever.
Fun Facts and Records
Some notable records and fun facts have emerged from the international box office. Moana 2 has become the 2nd highest-grossing animated release of all time in Brazil and France, while Nosferatu has surpassed $50M internationally, making it Robert Eggers’ biggest movie ever in 49 markets.
- Moana 2 is the highest-grossing Walt Disney Animated Studios release ever in several countries, including France, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico.
- Nosferatu has become Robert Eggers’ biggest movie ever in 49 markets, including the UK, Mexico, Italy, Germany, and Australia.
- Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King has reached a total of $539.7M globally, making it the No. 9 global release of 2024.
New Releases and Upcoming Films
Warner Bros’ Red One has begun its pre-domestic release, opening in 75 offshore markets with a $26.6M debut. The film’s performance has been promising, with strong results in Latin America, where it ranked No. 2 behind the 3rd weekend of Venom: The Last Dance. In Europe, the film is tracking ahead of comps like Central Intelligence and Skyscraper.
Venom: The Last Dance Continues to Defy Expectations
Sony’s Venom: The Last Dance has continued to defy expectations, reaching a global total of $394.2M. The film’s international box office sales have been impressive, with a total of $279.4M, and it is now tangling towards the $400M mark. The Marvel symbiote has generated significant interest in China, where it has become the top market for the threequel with $82.8M.
The top 5 markets for Venom: The Last Dance to date are China, with $82.8M, Mexico, with $17.2M, the UK, with $14.3M, Germany, with $11.5M, and Korea, with $11.2M. The film’s Imax global cume has reached $29.6M, demonstrating its ability to perform well in premium formats.
The Wild Robot and Other Notable Releases
Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot has added $9M from 80 markets, lifting its international cume to $161.6M and its global total to $292.5M. The film has now surpassed Encanto overseas, with the top 5 offshore markets to date being Mexico, with $19.1M, the UK, with $16.5M, France, with $11.7M, Australia, with $10.9M, and Spain, with $9.3M.
Studio Performance and Market Trends
Disney’s dominance in 2024 is evident, with the studio on track to have multiple $1B releases. Moana 2’s impending crossing of the $1B mark will make it Disney’s third $1B release in 2024, further solidifying the studio’s position as a leader in the global box office.
Universal’s Wicked and Other Notable Films
Universal’s Wicked has continued to cast a spell overseas, nearing the $700M mark worldwide. The film’s performance has been impressive, with a total of $238.7M from the international box office and $697.6M globally. Japan is still to release the film, which is expected to further boost its global total.
The success of Wicked can be attributed to its strong marketing strategy and audience reception. The film’s performance has also been influenced by its cultural relevance and the popularity of the original musical.
Market Trends and Observations
Some notable trends and observations have emerged from the international box office. The impact of PVOD (Premium Video-on-Demand) has been significant, with many films opting for early digital releases. The performance of different genres has also been interesting, with animated films like Moana 2 and The Wild Robot performing well, while superhero films like Venom: The Last Dance have continued to defy expectations.
- Disney’s dominance in 2024 is evident, with the studio on track to have multiple $1B releases.
- Universal’s Wicked has continued to cast a spell overseas, nearing the $700M mark worldwide.
- The impact of PVOD has been significant, with many films opting for early digital releases.
Miscellaneous Updates and Notable Releases
Some other notable releases and updates have emerged from the international box office. Conclave has reached a total of $44.3M internationally, with a global cume of $69.2M. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera has debuted with a $5M international weekend, with a global total of $20.5M.
Smile 2, Anora, and Other Notable Releases
Smile 2 has added $3.7M from 62 markets, lifting its international cume to $63.1M and its global total to $123.6M. Anora has debuted with a $1.6M international weekend, with a global total of $5M. Other notable releases include Transformers One, with a $575K international weekend, and Piece By Piece, with a $380K international weekend.
The performance of these films has been influenced by various factors, including their marketing strategies, audience reception, and cultural relevance. The success of Smile 2, for instance, can be attributed to its strong marketing campaign and the popularity of the original film.
Transformers
Conclusion
This weekend’s box office numbers paint a vibrant picture of global cinema’s resurgence. With “Mufasa” roaring past the $500 million mark, “Moana 2” nearing the billion-dollar milestone, and “Sonic 3” speeding towards $400 million worldwide, it’s clear that audiences are hungry for big-screen entertainment. These successes highlight the enduring power of beloved franchises and the global appeal of animation and family-friendly films.
The international box office continues to demonstrate its strength, driving these films to unprecedented heights. This success is a testament to the filmmakers’ ability to craft stories that resonate across cultures and languages. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to see how these trends continue to shape the film industry. Will we see a further rise in international productions gaining global recognition? Will studios continue to invest heavily in franchise building and familiar characters? The box office will undoubtedly provide the answers, keeping us glued to the screen as the next chapter in cinematic storytelling unfolds.
One thing is certain: the magic of the movies remains as powerful as ever, uniting audiences worldwide through shared experiences and unforgettable stories.
Conclusion
This weekend’s box office numbers paint a vibrant picture of global cinema’s resurgence. With “Mufasa” roaring past the $500 million mark, “Moana 2” nearing the billion-dollar milestone, and “Sonic 3” speeding towards $400 million worldwide, it’s clear that audiences are hungry for big-screen entertainment. These successes highlight the enduring power of beloved franchises and the global appeal of animation and family-friendly films.
The international box office continues to demonstrate its strength, driving these films to unprecedented heights. This success is a testament to the filmmakers’ ability to craft stories that resonate across cultures and languages. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to see how these trends continue to shape the film industry. Will we see a further rise in international productions gaining global recognition? Will studios continue to invest heavily in franchise building and familiar characters? The box office will undoubtedly provide the answers, keeping us glued to the screen as the next chapter in cinematic storytelling unfolds.