Blockbuster Box Office Success: Memorial Day Weekend Generates High Revenues for Mission: Impossible and Lilo & Stitch
Memorial Day weekend 2022 witnessed an unprecedented surge in moviegoers as two major Hollywood productions, "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" and the live-action remake of "Lilo & Stitch," shattered box office records.
According to Variety, the combination of these two films propelled Memorial Day weekend to claim the "largest Memorial Day holiday in history," amassing a colossal $341.7 million worldwide, surpassing earlier projections. It has also replaced the domestic opening weekend of "Top Gun: Maverick" — which accumulated $160 million in 2022 over four days — with "Lilo & Stitch" earning a remarkable $145.5 million domestically, making it the second-best holiday weekend start ever, falling just behind "Black Panther's" $242 million during Presidents Day 2018. Analysts predict "Lilo & Stitch" could reach $183 million by the end of the four-day weekend.
The global success of "Lilo & Stitch" was primarily driven by strong domestic box office numbers, with its impressive opening weekend earnings swiftly dethroning "Top Gun: Maverick’s" previous record. Meanwhile, "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" also experienced a successful launch, earning a worldwide debut of $190 million. The film's international audience accounted for $127 million of this total, due to the movie having released a week prior in countries such as Australia and South Korea. By the weekend's end, its domestic revenue may reach up to $77 million, setting a new record for the Mission: Impossible series.
Reviews for both films have been overwhelmingly positive, with audiences appreciating the blend of new and nostalgic elements. The 23-year-old classic "Lilo & Stitch," which served as the inspiration for the live-action adaptation, and the potential conclusion of the Mission: Impossible series marking its last installment starring Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt, have stirred enthusiasm among moviegoers.
Additional screenings this weekend included holdovers like "Final Destination: Bloodlines," "Sinners," and "Thunderbolts." The explosive influx of moviegoers was not confined to these releases alone, as the holiday period sparked a return to theaters reminiscent of a decade ago when people flocked to the cinema during Memorial Day.[^1^][^2^]
As the summer season approaches, fans can eagerly anticipate more blockbusters such as "Ballerina," "How to Train Your Dragon," and "28 Years Later" in June, followed by "Superman" and "Fantastic Four" in July.
Remark on your opinions of "Mission: Impossible" and "Lilo & Stitch" in the comments section below.
For updates on scheduled releases of "Marvel," "Star Wars," and "Star Trek," as well as future developments regarding the "DC Universe," and everything you need to know about the upcoming "Doctor Who" installments, visit io9.[^1^]: Rotten Tomatoes editorial, 2025-05-27 [^2^]: Cartoon Brew, 2025-05-27
- The phenomenal success of "Lilo & Stitch" and "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" over Memorial Day weekend 2022 has caused a resurgence in moviegoers, reminiscent of the cinema flocks during Memorial Day a decade ago.
- According to Variety, the worldwide earnings of "Lilo & Stitch" have broken the domestic opening weekend record set by "Top Gun: Maverick," with the film potentially making over $183 million by the end of the four-day weekend.
- Visiting io9 during the summer season will keep fans updated on the latest releases of Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who, as well as future developments in technology and entertainment, including updates on the upcoming Mission: Impossible and Lilo & Stitch movies.
