Find out how Simba’s father became the ruler of the Pride Lands in Mufasa: The Lion King. The prequel opens before the Christmas holiday on December 20, 2024. Mufasa is expected to be a moderate hit. Will it underperform or exceed expectations? View the odds for Mufasa: The Lion King’s opening weekend box office.
Mufasa: The Lion King — What Is It About?
Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge) voices Mufasa, a young lion who will one day become king. The orphaned Mufasa meets Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), a young prince and heir to the royal bloodline who will come to be known as Scar.
“The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe,” Disney’s synopsis reads.
The film is told in flashbacks, as Rafiki (John Kani) shares Mufasa’s legend with Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), the daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter)
Mufasa: The Lion King also stars Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, and Dominique Jennings.
Mufasa: The Lion King is directed by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins and written by Jeff Nathanson.
Mufasa: The Lion King Opening Weekend Box Office Odds
| Opening Weekend Box Office: Domestic | Odds |
|---|---|
| Less than $52 million | +127 |
| $52 million-$58 million | +194 |
| $58 million-$64 million | +614 |
| $64 million-$70 million | +1567 |
| Over $70 million | +1329 |
Odds via Polymarket on 12/12/24 at 9:45 p.m. ET.
The audience knows The Lion King, but will they show up for a prequel about Mufasa?
The oddsmakers at Polymarket believe Mufasa will likely open to a value south of $52 million (+127). However, that opening weekend number could climb to $58 million (+194).
This is the second Lion King story to be photorealistically animated. In 2019, Jon Favreau’s The Lion King debuted to an opening weekend of $191.8 million. The Lion King finished its worldwide gross at $1.6 billion.
