Disney’s live-action prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), has sparked controversy—not just over its dead-behind-the-eyes CGI lions, but for the studio’s claims about its box office performance.
While The Lion King (2019) was a smash hit at the box office, fan reactions were decidedly mixed. Its hyper-realistic approach to “live-action” lions made it difficult for characters to convey the expressiveness and charm that defined the original 1994 animation. Many felt the remake lacked the heart and soul of the classic, with some describing it as a hollow imitation that relied heavily on nostalgia rather than innovation (AKA the recipe for all Disney live-action remakes).
But that hasn’t stopped Disney from a second “live-action” outing into The Lion King universe. Directed by Barry Jenkins, Mufasa: The Lion King explores Mufasa’s origins, following the orphaned cub’s journey and his complicated relationship with a privileged lion cub called Taka, the same lion who will one day be known as Scar.
The Lowdown on ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’
Featuring Aaron Pierre as Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, the film has earned praise for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music and improved visuals over its predecessor. However, critics (it’s us, we’re critics) have also taken aim at that same photorealistic animation style, describing it as visually impressive but emotionally hollow.
At the box office, Mufasa: The Lion King has performed respectably but lags behind the 2019 remake, which grossed a staggering $1.657 billion by the end of its run. As of now, the prequel has earned $328 million globally, with $35.4 million from its opening weekend in the U.S.
Despite these relatively solid numbers, the film debuted second to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), which overshadowed Mufasa with a stronger opening.
Disney Claims False Victory Over ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’
That’s why controversy recently erupted when Disney’s official social media account proclaimed Mufasa: The Lion King as the number one movie in the U.S. and worldwide for two consecutive weeks.
“#Mufasa: The Lion King is now the #1 movie in America, and the #1 movie in the world, two weeks in a row!” wrote @DisneyStudios. “See it now, only in theaters!”
#Mufasa: The Lion King is now the #1 movie in America, and the #1 movie in the world, two weeks in a row! 🦁 See it now, only in theaters! pic.twitter.com/bPIi9DBQWP
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) December 29, 2024
This claim was flagged by X’s (formerly Twitter) community notes, which clarified that Sonic 3 was actually the top earner during the same period. Fans of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (which we’ll be the first to declare superior to Mufasa) quickly called out Disney for spreading misinformation, sparking debates online about corporate transparency.
This incident comes amid a broader decline in Disney’s live-action dominance. While the studio once consistently turned its remakes into billion-dollar hits, recent efforts like The Little Mermaid (2023) struggled to meet financial expectations. With Snow White (2025) already facing scrutiny, Disney’s approach to reimagining its animated classics is under increasing pressure to adapt to changing audience tastes.
Have you watched Mufasa: The Lion King? Let us know what you think of Disney’s latest live-action effort!
