Worldwide, the flick has earned about $100 million, with countries like Mexico and the UK showing stronger demand than most.

While few would call Sonic a cinematic tour de force, the strong opening suggested that the decision to delay the movie and revamp Sonic's graphics paid off. If you have gripes with the movie, the visuals probably aren't part of them. It stands in sharp contrast to Cats, whose rushed CG put people off and contributed to a much smaller box office. The musical left movie theaters after just eight weeks with slightly under $27.2 million earned in all of North America.

It's too soon to provide a definitive explanation for why Sonic has succeeded where other video game movies have failed, but there are a few factors at play. The Presidents Day weekend opening certainly helps -- there are plenty of parents looking to entertain their kids, and the movie doesn't have to compete against heavyweights. Sonic is also a very recognizable name, even to younger audiences, and recognizable talent like Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey and James Marsden helps. While this isn't necessarily proof that video game movies have hit their stride, it does show that they can fare well in the right circumstances.