Disney’s much-anticipated film, Mufasa: The Lion King, has finally roared into theaters today, but its opening performance feels more like a meow than a roar. The film has taken a slow start, with morning show occupancy reported at a modest 5-7%, raising eyebrows across the trade circles. Considering the buzz and the brand value of The Lion King franchise, expectations were significantly higher for its Day 1 performance.
While the opening figures may not inspire confidence, it’s too early to write the film off. With ticket prices soaring to all-time highs, there’s potential for recovery if the movie sees an upward trend during the afternoon and evening shows. As per initial estimates, Mufasa is eyeing a ₹5-7 crore net collection for its first day, provided it gains momentum as the day progresses.
The slow start is a bit concerning, especially given the high expectations associated with Hollywood blockbusters in India. Ideally, the film needed to open closer to the ₹10 crore net mark to set a strong foundation for the weekend. Hollywood films typically rely heavily on their opening day collections as they tend to be front-loaded and show relatively limited growth over Saturday and Sunday, unlike Indian films that benefit from weekend family audiences.
With stiff competition from local releases and a loyal fan base of The Lion King waiting to judge whether the prequel lives up to its legacy, Mufasa faces an uphill task. The film’s performance in metro cities and multiplexes will be crucial in determining its fate.
What Lies Ahead?
Despite the lukewarm start, Mufasa still has a chance to salvage Day 1 if word-of-mouth buzz kicks in. Evening and night shows generally see higher footfalls, especially in urban centers. The film also holds the advantage of nostalgia, as fans of the original The Lion King may flock to theaters over the weekend.
However, the pressure is on for Mufasa to deliver a roaring performance in the coming days. Anything below ₹25 crore net for the opening weekend could spell trouble for this big-budget spectacle.
Will Mufasa: The Lion King manage to turn its slow start into a box office triumph? Or will it end up as just another Hollywood offering that failed to make an impact in India? Only time—and the weekend collections—will tell.
Stay tuned for more updates on this lion’s journey at the box office!
