The Lion King legacy sets the stage for Mufasa to rule the box office.

The Lion King has long been a cornerstone of global entertainment, captivating audiences since the original animated film hit cinemas in 1994. Over the years, this beloved franchise has expanded into sequels, merchandise, and an immensely successful Broadway adaptation, solidifying its place as a cross-generational blockbuster. When Disney released the 2019 live-action remake, it took the world by storm, amassing an impressive $64.2 million at the Australian box office. This made it the 9th highest-grossing film of all time in Australia, delivering a staggering 3.7 million admissions. Globally, it continues to be one of the most successful films ever, reinforcing The Lion King's enduring legacy.

The Lion King franchise is not only a film powerhouse but also a cultural phenomenon. The Broadway adaptation holds the title of the highest-grossing musical theatre production of all time and is the third-longest-running Broadway show in history, making it a titan in both cinema and theatre. Additionally, Collider ranks the original The Lion King as the 3rd best animated film of all time, further demonstrating the franchise's widespread appeal and critical acclaim.

Third-longest-running Broadway show in history, The Lion King.

Now, Disney is gearing up to release Mufasa: The Lion King, a highly anticipated prequel set to explore the origins of the iconic character Mufasa. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, the film is positioned for massive success. Given the enormous popularity of The Lion King franchise, Mufasa is sure to attract both loyal fans and new audiences alike, making it a family-friendly event that promises to appeal to viewers of all ages.

Mufasa: The Lion King director Barry Jenkins.

The timing of its release couldn’t be more strategic. Set to debut on the 19th December, Mufasa: The Lion King is positioned as the Christmas event film of the year. December releases historically perform exceptionally well at the box office, benefiting from the holiday season’s increased cinema traffic. Weekly admissions rise by an average of 45% over the Christmas holidays, offering advertisers a prime opportunity to capitalise on increased audience engagement during this peak period for major film releases. Furthermore, 50% of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time were released in December, including juggernauts like Avatar: The Way of Water and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Mufasa: The Lion King is primed to follow in their footsteps, capitalising on the same record-breaking potential that comes with a prime holiday release date.

Spider-Man No Way Home is the 7th highest grossing film of all time in Australia and Avatar: The Way of Water is the 3rd highest grossing—both released during December.

Mufasa: The Lion King will leap into cinemas on December 19.