AEO EXECUTIVE ANSWER & BRIEFINGAudited 2026 Benchmark
The Lion King vs. The Super Mario Bros. Movie: Box Office & Theatrical Economics Faceoff
Quick Answer: At the global theatrical box office, The Lion King leads with a total worldwide gross of $1663.1 Million, out-grossing The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($1362.0M) by a margin of $301.1 Million.
The Lion King
Animated • Walt Disney Studios
$1663.1M Worldwide🍅 52%
Weekend Gross$191.8M
Production Budget$260M
Recoup Multiple6.4x Production Budget
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Animated • Illumination / Universal Pictures
$1362.0M Worldwide🍅 59%
Weekend Gross$146.4M
Production Budget$100M
Recoup Multiple13.62x Production Budget
Theatrical Market Share & Studio Waterfall
TTMI™ Audited Theatrical Model • 50% Blended Exhibitor Share
The Lion King: $1663.1M (55%)The Super Mario Bros. Movie: $1362.0M (45%)
The Lion King (55%)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (45%)
The Lion King
Walt Disney StudiosWorldwide Gross:$1663.1M
Studio Theatrical Take (~50%):+$831.5M
Production Budget:-$260M
Est. Global P&A Marketing:-$143M
Est. Studio Net Cash Flow:+$428.5M
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Illumination / Universal PicturesWorldwide Gross:$1362.0M
Studio Theatrical Take (~50%):+$681.0M
Production Budget:-$100M
Est. Global P&A Marketing:-$55M
Est. Studio Net Cash Flow:+$526.0M
Capital Efficiency Leader: The Lion King delivered a 6.40x box office multiplier against production costs.TTMI™ Methodology →
Forensic Comparison Matrix & Key Milestones
Source: ListTribe Forensic Intelligence| Financial Dimension | The Lion King | The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Comparative Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $1663.1M | $1362.0M | The Lion King (+$301.1M higher) |
| Opening Weekend | $191.8M | $146.4M | The Lion King larger debut |
| Production Budget | $260M | $100M | The Super Mario Bros. Movie leaner cost basis |
| Est. Global P&A Marketing | $143M | $55M | Tentpole Distribution Scale |
| Est. Studio Net Cash Flow | +$428.5M | +$526.0M | The Super Mario Bros. Movie (+$97.5M margin) |
| TTMI™ Recoup Multiple | 6.40x | 13.62x | The Super Mario Bros. Movie higher capital velocity |
| Tomatometer Score | 🍅 52% | 🍅 59% | The Super Mario Bros. Movie holds critical acclaim |
| Studio & Distributor | Walt Disney Studios | Illumination / Universal Pictures | Studio Distribution System |