After five weeks in Nigerian cinemas, Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King has achieved a major milestone, surpassing the N500 million mark at the box office. This CG-animated prequel to the 2019 The Lion King has captivated audiences across the country, cementing its status as one of Nigeria’s highest-grossing films of 2024.
According to data from the Nigerian box office, Mufasa earned N30.6 million between January 17 and 23, bringing its total earnings to N530 million. Earlier this month, the film had already crossed the N482 million mark.
Released on December 20, 2024, Mufasa opened strongly with a debut weekend haul of N64 million, as reported by FilmOne, the West African distributor. Despite stiff competition from other blockbuster releases such as Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mufasa has displayed exceptional staying power, consistently drawing audiences week after week.
Internationally, Mufasa: The Lion King has been a commercial hit, grossing $601 million in just over a month. This includes $211 million from the U.S. domestic market and $389 million from international audiences. However, the film still trails behind its predecessor, 2019’s The Lion King, which grossed over $1.6 billion globally, making it one of Disney’s most successful films.
Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, best known for Moonlight, Mufasa delves into the backstory of the beloved Lion King characters, serving as both a prequel and a sequel to the 2019 remake.
The film boasts an ensemble cast featuring returning stars like Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and John Kani. New voices include Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, and Lennie James, who bring fresh perspectives to the franchise.
While audiences have embraced Mufasa, the film has received mixed reviews from critics, holding a 58% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, its photorealistic visuals, ambitious storytelling, and nostalgic appeal have struck a chord with viewers worldwide.
The success of Mufasa in Nigeria reflects the growing appetite for blockbuster entertainment in the country, particularly family-friendly films. While Nollywood continues to dominate the local market, Hollywood films like Mufasa have found a strong foothold, benefiting from improved distribution channels and a loyal fanbase.
As Nigeria’s cinema industry expands, the impressive box office performance of Mufasa underscores the increasing influence of international productions in the region’s entertainment landscape.
