This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
July 23, 2019
Disney's 'The Lion King' has shattered industry expectations with a massive box office opening this weekend, raking in an estimated Ksh. 54 billion ($531 million) worldwide in just 10 days of release.
The film, a reboot of the studio's 1994 animated classic, has made an estimated Ksh. 19 billion ($185 million) in North America alone, surpassing analysts' projections of around Ksh. 16 billion ($150 million) for its domestic opening.
Directed by Jon Favreau, 'The Lion King' boasts an all-star cast, including Beyoncé, Donald Glover, John Oliver, and Seth Rogen, who have lent their voice work to the film.
The film's success has given a much-needed boost to the domestic box office, which has been struggling this year, with the 2019 North American box office down roughly 9 percent heading into Friday.
However, thanks to 'The Lion King,' this weekend's box office totals were up roughly 51 percent compared to the same weekend last year, according to Comscore.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, attributed the film's success to its perfect release date, great marketing, and iconic characters that have resonated with audiences around the world for over two decades.
