The holiday weekend in North America saw two films battling for box-office supremacy, both of which emerged with a claim first to place.
Disney's animated drama "Mufasa: The Lion King" prevailed in the five days from Christmas Day through Sunday with an estimated take of $63.8 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
But Paramount's action comedy "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," which booked $59.9 million for that same five-day holiday period, came out on top for the traditional Friday-through-Sunday stretch, edging the Disney film by $38 million to $37.1 million.
Overall, the weekend generated "big, although not record-breaking box office" numbers, said analyst David A. Gross, adding that "the next seven days should be excellent."
New vampire pic "Nosferatu" from Focus Features also posted impressive numbers, with $40.3 million for the five-day period and $21.2 million for the three-day weekend.
Gross called that "an excellent opening for a new horror film" -- a remake of the 1922 silent classic inspired by the 1897 novel "Dracula" -- and noted that critics' reviews are outstanding.
The ensemble cast includes Bill Skarsgard, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe and Nicholas Hoult.
Universal's musical fantasy "Wicked," starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, earned $31.7 million for five days ($19.5 million for three) as the latest spin on the magical world of Oz slipped one spot to fourth place. Its global earnings now stand at $634 million.
And Disney's animated "Moana 2" had an estimated $28.3 million in ticket sales for five days ($18.2 million for three), slipping one spot but holding on to top-five status for the fifth straight week.
Meantime, Searchlight Pictures' "A Complete Unknown," with Timothee Chalamet portraying an enigmatic Bob Dylan during the dizzying years that propelled the singer-songwriter from anonymity to world fame, took in a solid $23.3 million for five days ($11.6 million for three). Dylan himself has described Chalamet as a "brilliant actor."
Rounding out the top 10 were:
"Babygirl" ($7.2 million for five days, $4.4 million for three)
"Gladiator II" ($5.9 million; $4.2 million)
"Homestead" ($5.3 million; $3.2 million)
"The Fire Inside" ($4.3 million; $2 million) Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Disney's animated drama Mufasa: The Lion King prevailed in the five days from Christmas Day through Sunday with an estimated take of $63.8 million

The holiday weekend in North America saw two films battling for box-office supremacy, both of which emerged with a claim first to place. Disney's animated drama "Mufasa: The Lion King" prevailed in the five days from Christmas Day through Sunday with an estimated take of $63.8 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. But Paramount's action comedy "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," which booked $59.9 million for that same five-day holiday period, came out on top for the traditional Friday-through-Sunday stretch, edging the Disney film by $38 million to $37.1 million. Overall, the weekend generated "big, although not record-breaking box office" numbers, said analyst David A. Gross, adding that "the next seven days should be excellent." New vampire pic "Nosferatu" from Focus Features also posted impressive numbers, with $40.3 million for the five-day period and $21.2 million for the three-day weekend. Gross called that "an excellent opening for a new horror film" -- a remake of the 1922 silent classic inspired by the 1897 novel "Dracula" -- and noted that critics' reviews are outstanding. The ensemble cast includes Bill Skarsgard, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe and Nicholas Hoult. Universal's musical fantasy "Wicked," starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, earned $31.7 million for five days ($19.5 million for three) as the latest spin on the magical world of Oz slipped one spot to fourth place. Its global earnings now stand at $634 million. And Disney's animated "Moana 2" had an estimated $28.3 million in ticket sales for five days ($18.2 million for three), slipping one spot but holding on to top-five status for the fifth straight week. Meantime, Searchlight Pictures' "A Complete Unknown," with Timothee Chalamet portraying an enigmatic Bob Dylan during the dizzying years that propelled the singer-songwriter from anonymity to world fame, took in a solid $23.3 million for five days ($11.6 million for three). Dylan himself has described Chalamet as a "brilliant actor." Rounding out the top 10 were: "Babygirl" ($7.2 million for five days, $4.4 million for three) "Gladiator II" ($5.9 million; $4.2 million) "Homestead" ($5.3 million; $3.2 million) "The Fire Inside" ($4.3 million; $2 million) Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Both Mufasa and Sonic claim North America box office supremacy

Thrice more fun! Three times the speed, three times the thrills, and three times more fun as Sonic and his friends buckle up for greater challenges in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Makers dropped the official trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ahead of its worldwide premiere in theatres.&nbsp;

The third instalment promises to up the ante with a thrilling new chapter in Sonic's saga as Sonic and his friends, Tails and Knuckles, gear up to face their greatest challenge yet!&nbsp;

<h2>Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Plot</h2>

The movie teases the arrival of Shadow the Hedgehog, a fan-favourite character whose mysterious past and intense rivalry with Sonic will set the stage for an epic showdown. Expect jaw-dropping visuals, heart-pounding chases, and much more in the film.&nbsp;

The film is led by a stellar cast featuring Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Krysten Ritter, Lee Majdoub, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Alyla Browne and James Wolk.

Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues to honour the spirit of the classic Sega. Makers also promise that the film will live up to the reputation of the games that have engaged people from all age groups. &nbsp;

Watch Sonic The Hedgehog 3 trailer here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="711" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CyK0bEaNkG8" title="Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Official Trailer 2" width="1264"></iframe>

Produced by Neal H. Moritz, p.g.a., Toby Ascher, p.g.a.,Toru Nakahara, Hitoshi Okuno and Directed by Jeff Fowler, Paramount Pictures Presents this film in association with Sega Sammy Group.&nbsp;

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will release on January 3, 2025 so that you can welcome the new year with some crazy action.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-2-trailer-netflix-teases-what-to-expect-in-deathly-games-779526">Squid Game season 2 trailer: Netflix teases what to expect in deathly games</a>

Thrice more fun! Three times the speed, three times the thrills, and three times more fun as Sonic and his friends buckle up for greater challenges in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Thrice more fun! Three times the speed, three times the thrills, and three times more fun as Sonic and his friends buckle up for greater challenges in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Makers dropped the official trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ahead of its worldwide premiere in theatres. The third instalment promises to up the ante with a thrilling new chapter in Sonic's saga as Sonic and his friends, Tails and Knuckles, gear up to face their greatest challenge yet! Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Plot The movie teases the arrival of Shadow the Hedgehog, a fan-favourite character whose mysterious past and intense rivalry with Sonic will set the stage for an epic showdown. Expect jaw-dropping visuals, heart-pounding chases, and much more in the film. The film is led by a stellar cast featuring Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Krysten Ritter, Lee Majdoub, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Alyla Browne and James Wolk. Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues to honour the spirit of the classic Sega. Makers also promise that the film will live up to the reputation of the games that have engaged people from all age groups. Watch Sonic The Hedgehog 3 trailer here: Produced by Neal H. Moritz, p.g.a., Toby Ascher, p.g.a.,Toru Nakahara, Hitoshi Okuno and Directed by Jeff Fowler, Paramount Pictures Presents this film in association with Sega Sammy Group. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will release on January 3, 2025 so that you can welcome the new year with some crazy action. Also read: Squid Game season 2 trailer: Netflix teases what to expect in deathly games

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 trailer: Get set for crazy action as film sets January 3, 2025 as premiere date

Keanu Reeves is shifting his focus to play newer characters. The actor who is known for his action thrillers, will now voice the character of Shadow in the upcoming film Sonic the Hedgehog 3.&nbsp; 
 
He joins a cast that includes Ben Schwartz as Sonic, as well as Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr Robotnik. 
 
According to a report in Variety, Shadow is an anthropomorphic hedgehog in the games and is an antihero of sorts to Sonic's character. Paramount is yet to confirm Keanu's inclusion in the cast.&nbsp; 
 
Keanu has been part of some iconic films including Speed, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and My Own Private Idaho, as well as the Matrix franchise. He will next appear in the John Wick spinoff, Ballerina, opposite Ana de Armas. 
 
Keanu will also co-star in Good Fortune alongside Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer and Sandra Oh. 
 
Jeff Fowler, who previously helmed the last two Sonic&nbsp;movies, is returning as the director of the latest film. Sonic 3 will open in theatres on December 20, 2024. 
 
Reeves’ casting in Sonic 3&nbsp;was first reported on The John Campea Show.

The franchise is one of Paramount’s most successful with the previous films earning a huge number at the box office. The combined global box office for Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was a whopping $725.2 million. The studio is also making a spin-off series, Knuckles, that will premiere on Paramount+.

About Sonic The Hedgehog 
 
Sonic is an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds. He races through levels, collecting rings and avoiding obstacles, as he seeks to defeat his archenemy, Doctor Eggman.He is a character created by the Japanese game developers Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima. Sonic is also the mascot of the Japanese video game company Sega. 
&nbsp;

Keanu Reeves is shifting his focus to play newer characters. The actor who is known for his action thrillers, will now voice the character of Shadow in the upcoming film Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Keanu Reeves is shifting his focus to play newer characters. The actor who is known for his action thrillers, will now voice the character of Shadow in the upcoming film Sonic the Hedgehog 3. He joins a cast that includes Ben Schwartz as Sonic, as well as Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr Robotnik. According to a report in Variety, Shadow is an anthropomorphic hedgehog in the games and is an antihero of sorts to Sonic's character. Paramount is yet to confirm Keanu's inclusion in the cast. Keanu has been part of some iconic films including Speed, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and My Own Private Idaho, as well as the Matrix franchise. He will next appear in the John Wick spinoff, Ballerina, opposite Ana de Armas. Keanu will also co-star in Good Fortune alongside Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer and Sandra Oh. Jeff Fowler, who previously helmed the last two Sonic movies, is returning as the director of the latest film. Sonic 3 will open in theatres on December 20, 2024. Reeves’ casting in Sonic 3 was first reported on The John Campea Show. The franchise is one of Paramount’s most successful with the previous films earning a huge number at the box office. The combined global box office for Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was a whopping $725.2 million. The studio is also making a spin-off series, Knuckles, that will premiere on Paramount+. About Sonic The Hedgehog Sonic is an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds. He races through levels, collecting rings and avoiding obstacles, as he seeks to defeat his archenemy, Doctor Eggman.He is a character created by the Japanese game developers Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima. Sonic is also the mascot of the Japanese video game company Sega.

Keanu Reeves to be part of the voice cast of Sonic The Hedgehog 3: Reports

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Both Mufasa and Sonic claim North America box office supremacy

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 trailer: Get set for crazy action as film sets January 3, 2025 as premiere date

Keanu Reeves to be part of the voice cast of Sonic The Hedgehog 3: Reports