Blockbuster Movie Hauls Over Memorial Day Weekend: Mission: Impossible and Lilo & Stitch Collect Significant Revenue
Ready for some blockbuster action this weekend? Two mega-hits are taking over cinemas - "Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning" and "Lilo & Stitch". They're setting records left and right!
As per Variety, this Memorial Day weekend is breaking the record books, raking in a jaw-dropping $341.7 million globally. "Lilo" has blown past initial predictions, with a current domestic take of $145.5 million. It's now surpassed "Top Gun: Maverick's" (2022) $160 million four-day gross, making it the best Memorial Day opening weekend. Domestically, it's the second-best holiday weekend start behind "Black Panther" in 2018, with a whopping $242 million during Presidents Day weekend. By the end of the weekend, "Lilo" is expected to make $183 million, making it one of Disney's biggest live-action remakes, trailing only behind 2019's "The Lion King" and 2017's "Beauty & the Beast".
On the other hand, "Final Reckoning" opened to $190 million worldwide. With its international audience accounting for $127 million, its domestic take of $63 million could reach $77 million by the weekend's end, setting a new record for the "Mission: Impossible" series. Both films have received favorable critical and audience reception, fueled by growing momentum before their releases. Nostalgia is driving both movies - "Lilo" is based on a 23-year-old Disney classic, and "Reckoning" may be the last film in the series or the last featuring Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt.
The theaters are packed this weekend, with holdovers like "Final Destination Bloodlines", "Sinners", and "Thunderbolts" also attracting audiences. Variety notes that it's been over a decade since theaters have seen such heavy Memorial Day attendance, and a significant improvement compared to 2024's weaker showings of "Furiosa" and "Garfield".
The summer season is heating up with "Ballerina", "How to Train Your Dragon", and "28 Years Later" in June, followed by "Superman" and "Fantastic Four" in July. What are your thoughts on "Mission: Impossible" and "Lilo & Stitch"? Let us know in the comments below!
Want more io9 news? Check out upcoming releases for the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes, the future of the DC Universe, and the latest on the future of Doctor Who.
- Gizmodo and Io9 are discussing the future of technology in entertainment, anticipating the summer season releases such as "Ballerina," "How to Train Your Dragon," "28 Years Later," "Superman," and "Fantastic Four."
- Io9 is also reporting on the current box office success of "Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning" and "Lilo & Stitch," surpassing records and garnering positive reception from both critics and audiences.
- In the movies-and-tv section, IO9 highlights the impressive Box Office performance of "Lilo & Stitch," which has surpassed "Top Gun: Maverick's" record and is expected to become one of Disney's biggest live-action remakes.
