Blockbuster Entertainment Earnings Soar Over Memorial Day Weekend: Mission Impossible and Lilo & Stitch Bring in Major Revenue
Cinematic Spectacle this Holiday: Mission Impossible and Lilo & Stitch rule Box Office Roost
Weekend theater-goers are in for a royal treat as two powerhouse movies, Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning and Lilo & Stitch, have delivered an unprecedented Memorial Day movie-going bonanza.
According to Variety, the combination of these films has set the record for the "largest Memorial Day holiday in history", amassing a mammoth worldwide gross of $341.7 million. Particularly, Lilo has exceeded expectations by a mile with its domestic take of $145.5 million, surpassing Top Gun: Maverick (2022) which grossed $160 million over the four-day Memorial Day period in 2022[1]. Domestically, it ranks second in terms of best holiday weekend opening only behind Black Panther's Presidents Day 2018 domestic gross of $242 million[4].
It's worth mentioning that Lilo is now one of the most successful Disney live-action remakes, trailing only behind 2019's The Lion King and 2017's Beauty & the Beast which grossed $191 million and $174 million, respectively[3]. In all likelihood, Lilo is set to earn $183 million by the end of the four-day weekend[4].
Meanwhile, Final Reckoning kicked off to a respectable $190 million worldwide figure. Given that it was already screened in Australia, South Korea, and other territories, the international audience comprised an impressive $127 million of that figure[4]. The domestic take of $63 million might just swell to $77 million by the weekend's end, shattering the previous Mission: Impossible series record[4]. Both films have garnered widespread critical and audience acclaim, propelled by growing anticipation ahead of their releases. The appeal lies in their nostalgic roots, with Lilo being adapted from a 23-year-old Disney classic, and Reckoning potentially being the finale or the swan song for Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt[2].
In addition to these big releases, holdover films like Final Destination Bloodlines, Sinners, and Thunderbolts still hold their ground [2]. Variety revealed that it's been over a decade since there was such a memorable Memorial Day movie rush, and a staggering impro improvement compared to 2024's weaker performances from Furiosa and Garfield. The summer season is just warming up, promising an array of exciting movies such as Ballerina, How to Train Your Dragon, and 28 Years Later in June, followed by Superman and Fantastic Four in July[5].
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Cinematic Enrichment
- In terms of its domestic box office earnings, Lilo & Stitch currently stands as one of the most successful Disney live-action remakes, with only The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017) ahead of it[3].
- Although Lilo & Stitch received lukewarm reviews from critics similar to many other Disney live-action remakes, it managed to post impressive earnings, contrasting the massive flop of Snow White under the same circumsances[3].
- In terms of global success, Lilo & Stitch has achieved growth beyond expectations, with its total worldwide gross surpassing $610 million, positioning the film as a potential contender to become the first U.S.-made billion-dollar film of the year[1][2].
- Despite the resounding success of Lilo & Stitch, Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning also posted an impressive start, setting a new record for the Mission: Impossible series [4].
Gizmodo might highlight the incredible success of Lilo & Stitch, currently one of the most financially successful Disney live-action remakes, with a domestic box office income that ranks third among Disney's live-action remakes.* io9 could discuss the contrasting reception between Lilo & Stitch, which managed to earn impressive amounts despite lukewarm critic reviews, and another Disney live-action remake like Snow White, which significantly underperformed under similar circumstances.* Technology news sites like TechCrunch could focus on the global success of Lilo & Stitch, now a potential candidate to become the first U.S.-made billion-dollar film of the year, outperforming even expectations. In terms of future releases, movies-and-tv.com could cover the anticipated summer lineup, featuring exciting movies like Ballerina, How to Train Your Dragon, and 28 Years Later in June, followed by Superman and Fantastic Four in July.
In terms of entertainment, it's noteworthy that the Memorial Day movie-going bonanza has been historically significant, with Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning setting records for the largest Memorial Day holiday in history.
