Two family films dominated the holiday box office this week, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” narrowly edging out “Mufasa” by a slim margin. Paramount's Sonic movie raked in $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million in the U.S. and Canada over the three-day weekend. However, when considering the five-day earnings due to the mid-week Christmas holiday, Disney's “Mufasa” took the lead with $63.8 million.
The theatrical landscape remained vibrant, with long-running successes like “Wicked” and “Moana 2” continuing to draw audiences into their sixth and fifth weekends, respectively.
Among the new releases, the vampire horror film “Nosferatu” made a strong debut, securing the third spot with $21.2 million over the weekend and $40.3 million in its first five days. This modern reimagining of the classic silent film set a new record for the best Christmas Day opening for a genre film.
The Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” directed by James Mangold also had a promising start, earning $11.6 million over the weekend and $23.2 million since Christmas. The film has garnered critical acclaim and audience approval, setting a new record for Searchlight Pictures since its acquisition by Disney.
“Babygirl,” an A24 release starring Nicole Kidman, brought in $4.4 million over the weekend and $7.2 million since Christmas. Kidman's performance in the film earned her the best acting prize at the Venice Film Festival.
“The Fire Inside,” released by Amazon MGM Studios, struggled to gain traction despite positive reviews, earning a total of $4.3 million, with $2 million from weekend showings across 2006 theaters.
Thanksgiving releases like “Wicked” and “Moana 2” continued to perform well, with “Wicked” earning $19.5 million and “Moana 2” bringing in $18.2 million over the weekend. “Wicked” will soon be available for home viewing, a move that has sparked concerns about potential profit impact.
Overall, the holiday box office showcased a mix of established hits and promising newcomers, offering audiences a diverse array of cinematic experiences to enjoy during the festive season.
