As the curtain rises on the first weekend of 2025, moviegoers are flocking to theaters in impressive numbers. The total box office for this weekend is estimated to hit a remarkable $105 million, a solid 22% increase over the same weekend last year, which only managed $85.9 million. However, it’s still shy of 2023’s post-COVID record. Meanwhile, ‘Mufasa’ is roaring at the top, captivating audiences and raking in the cash.
According to Box Office Mojo, the first weekend of 2025 sees movie theaters humming with activity. This weekend’s performance not only marks a 22% boost from last year’s figures but also positions it as the second-best post-COVID opening weekend, trailing behind 2023 when blockbusters ‘Avatar: The Way With Water’ and ‘ME3AN’ generated $106.2 million. There’s apprehension about Winter Storm Blair, which might affect 62 million people from the Plains to the East Coast, potentially impacting attendance.
Interestingly, though, the record-breaking numbers we see today still pale in comparison to the pre-COVID era. For instance, in 2016, when ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ was in its third weekend, the box office total hit an astounding $219.5 million. Even the 2020 pre-pandemic opening of the year saw a hefty $142.4 million, led by ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’.
As of this Friday, Disney’s ‘Mufasa’ was leading the charge, playing in 3,925 theaters. By Sunday, it’s on track to reach around $168.7 million. It’s a significant leap for ‘Mufasa’, making it number one for the weekend, although ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ was nipping at its heels. Sonic’s sequel, which played in 3,746 theaters, is set to close in on $186.3 million, inching towards surpassing ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s’ overall earnings.
Other films making waves include ‘Nosferatu’, standing strong in its second weekend with a 43% dip in numbers but managing a total of $68.5 million. ‘Moana 2’, still drawing crowds in its sixth week, is getting closer to surpassing ‘Despicable Me 4’ worldwide gross, eyeing the $1 billion mark. Then there’s ‘Wicked’, holding steady in its seventh week and nearing a colossal $450 million, as it competes for several Golden Globe awards.
Several noteworthy mentions include ‘A Complete Unknown’, a Bob Dylan biopic directed by James Mangold, which is on track to become the highest-grossing Searchlight title since the Disney-Fox merger. It has garnered $41.2 million, outpacing ‘The Menu’.
This weekend is particularly notable because, alongside October 31 and December 12, it’s one of only three weekends in 2025 without any major new releases.
The first weekend of 2025 sets the stage for a promising year in cinema, highlighted by the strong performance of ‘Mufasa’. With box office numbers climbing and theaters bustling, the film industry is making a solid comeback, reminding audiences of the unparalleled thrill of a big screen experience.
Source: Yahoo
