Mufasa: The Lion King Tops Weekend Box Office, Keke Palmer’s Comedy Falls to #1 Spot as Wolf Man & Den Of Thieves 2 Struggle

This past weekend, which included the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday from January 17-20, showcased unexpected shifts in the domestic box office. The new release, Den of Thieves 2, initially took the lead as the #1 film, but its reign faced stiff competition from Universal’s reimagined Wolf Man and Keke Palmer’s comedy, One of Them Days. It was anticipated that one of these newcomers would dominate the box office for both the three-day and four-day weekends.

Despite projections favoring Universal’s horror film, the reality was quite different. Wolf Man struggled to draw an audience, and Den of Thieves 2 experienced a more significant box office drop than expected. Meanwhile, Mufasa: The Lion King maintained solid numbers, and One of Them Days exceeded its forecasted earnings, reshaping the weekend box office scenario.

Movie	3-Day Box Office Gross	4-Day Box Office Gross
1	Mufasa: The Lion King	$11.7 million	$15.5 million
2	One of Them Days	$11.6 million	$14.2 million
3	Wolf Man	$10.9 million	$12.5 million
4	Sonic the Hedgehog 3	$8.6 million	$11 million
5	Den of Thieves 2	$6.6 million	$7.75 million
6	Ocean 2	$5.9 million	$8.1 million
7	Nosferatu	$4.15 million	$5 million
8	A Complete Unknown	$3.7 million	$4.6 million
9	Wicked	$3.59 million	$4.6 million
10	Babygirl	$2 million	$2.46 million

Mufasa: The Lion King Takes the Top Spot

One Of Them Days Almost Claims the 3-Day Weekend Victory

Dreux and Alyssa look shocked in One of Them Days

With the influence of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, Mufasa: The Lion King reclaimed its position as the leading film in the box office, thanks to a remarkable 17% drop in its fifth weekend of release. This notable performance solidifies its third consecutive weekend at the pinnacle of the box office charts. The favorable word-of-mouth and the well-established franchise have contributed significantly to its enduring success.

One of Them Days drew near to dethroning Mufasa during its debut weekend, a noteworthy achievement for Keke Palmer’s comedy. Historically, it has been nearly three years since a true comedic film has taken the top spot, with Jackass Forever being the last in February 2022. Garnering an A- CinemaScore and breaking records on Rotten Tomatoes, One of Them Days showcases its appeal to audiences and critics alike, with earnings at $11.6 million for the three-day period and $14.2 million over the extended weekend.

Wolf Man Falls Short of Expectations

Wolf Man Ranks #3 Instead of #1

Universal anticipated a significant weekend with Wolf Man, yet the film opened to a disappointing $10.9 million over the three-day period and $12.5 million over four days, far below the projected $18M. Given its $25 million budget, there remains a slim chance for Universal to break even, although the poor reception may hinder that potential.

With mixed reviews dominating Wolf Man‘s reception on Rotten Tomatoes, audience feedback reflects a similar sentiment, as indicated by a 57% score on the Popcornmeter and a C- CinemaScore. This feedback casts doubt on the film’s future performance, particularly as horror movies often rely on word-of-mouth to thrive, something Wolf Man currently lacks.

Den Of Thieves 2‘s Performance Dips

The Sequel Fails to Keep Pace

In its second weekend, Den of Thieves 2 fell short of expectations, bringing in $6.6 million compared to its predecessor’s $8.6 million in the same period. Despite favorable reviews and higher ratings than the 2018 original, it appears that audiences are less enthusiastic about the sequel. The considerable 56% drop this weekend starkly contrasts with the original’s 43% decline.

The sequel now lags behind by $2.6 million, a concerning sign given the competitive landscape. As a mid-budget action film, this gap could limit its potential, especially with the impending release of other contenders, including Flight Risk.

Additional Insights from the MLK Weekend Box Office

Mufasa Steadily Captures Audience Attention

Mufasa from Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) in front of a blurred image from the film and a mountain of cash — Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook

Contrary to initial concerns, Mufasa: The Lion King has exceeded expectations, grossing over $200 million domestically and nearing $600 million globally after a remarkable run in theaters. Its impressive ability to remain in the top ranks for five consecutive weekends, winning two outright, reflects positively on Disney, especially in light of future remakes like Snow White.

Meanwhile, Moana 2 continues to impress, ranking in the top 5 through the extended MLK holiday weekend and marking its first exit from that tier in eight weeks. Having surpassed the $1 billion milestone globally, this animated sequel’s low drop of just 9.8% this past weekend demonstrates its ongoing popularity among audiences.

Other films such as Nosferatu and Babygirl also reached significant milestones, with Nosferatu closing in on $100 million domestically, while Babygirl celebrated a $25 million benchmark, making it a noteworthy success for lead actress Nicole Kidman.

Implications of the January 17-20 Weekend Box Office

Anticipation for Flight Risk

Mark Wahlberg in Flight Risk with an explosion behind him — Custom Image by Cooper Hood

The developments in the January 17-20 weekend box office signal promising prospects for several films. Most notably, One of Them Days appears primed for continued success, buoyed by favorable reviews and strong audience demand. Other films, including Mufasa: The Lion King, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and Moana 2 are also in favorable positions moving forward.

Conversely, Wolf Man faces challenges, as its initial performance fell short of expectations and the mixed reviews diminish its chances for recovery. Upcoming horror releases like Steven Soderbergh’s Presence and Companion featuring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid threaten to further encroach upon its audience. A similar situation is evident with Den of Thieves 2, where its viability may diminish with Flight Risk launching this weekend, likely resulting in another new #1 at the box office.

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