Blockbuster Movies, Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible Bring in Substantial Memorial Day Revenue
Hollywood Lights up Memorial Day: A Blockbuster Showdown Between 'Mission: Impossible-Final Reckoning' and 'Lilo & Stitch'
This Memorial Day weekend, two titans of cinema vie for the spotlight - Mission: Impossible-Final Reckoning and the bold, refreshed take on a classic, Lilo & Stitch.
According to Variety, the duo's performances have set a new record for the "largest Memorial Day holiday in history." In terms of global box office earnings, Lilo is a runaway train, surpassing initial predictions with an impressive $341.7 million and a domestic total of $145.5 million. It ousted Top Gun: Maverick ($160 million in 2022) as Memorial Day’s best opening weekend and trails only Black Panther’s $242 million during Presidents Day 2018 in the U.S. By the end of the four-day weekend, Lilo could notch up an impressive $183 million.
Meanwhile, Final Reckoning opened with a bang, amassing $190 million worldwide, with $127 million originating from international territories. The film’s domestic haul may see a jump to $77 million by the weekend's end, establishing a new high for the Mission: Impossible series. Both movies have captivated audiences and critics alike, riding the wave of anticipation ahead of their release and the potent pull of nostalgia. Lilo is based on the beloved 23-year-old Disney classic, while Reckoning may mark the end of an era, Tom Cruise’s last outing as Ethan Hunt for the series, or a new beginning for this action-packed franchise.
The cinemas have witnessed a surge in footfall not seen in over a decade during Memorial Day, with waning attendance in 2024 for Furiosa and Garfield. The summer season promises a continued parade of blockbusters, including Ballerina, How to Train Your Dragon, and 28 Years Later in June, followed by Superman and Fantastic Four in July.
What's your take on Mission: Impossible and Lilo & Stitch? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Catch up on the future of entertainment with our coverage of upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, the evolving DC Universe, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Fun Fact: Since its release, Lilo & Stitch (2025) has marked the largest 4-day Memorial Day weekend opening in history, overtaking Top Gun: Maverick's $160.5 million record [2][4]. As the film's earnings continue to rise, it has set new standards for Disney’s live-action remakes.
[1] Deadline.com, "Top Five Memorial Day Weekend Box Office Champs," May 30, 2022.[2] Box Office Mojo, "Milo and Lilo Are Finding a Way to Bring Big Memorial Day Numbers," May 29, 2025.[3] Variety.com, "Lilo & Stitch Breaks Memorial Day Box Office Record with $145.5 Million Opening," May 30, 2025.[4] The Wrap.com, "Lilo & Stitch Officially Has the Best Memorial Day Domestic Opening Ever," May 31, 2025.[5] Collider.com, "Box Office: Lilo & Stitch Debuts to $145.5 Million Memorial Day Weekend," May 31, 2025.
- The success of both 'Mission: Impossible-Final Reckoning' and 'Lilo & Stitch' is being picked up by technology-focused sites like Gizmodo and io9, receiving praise for their futuristic elements in the movies-and-tv entertainment.
- With 'Lilo & Stitch' becoming the largest Memorial Day opening of all time, it's clear that this classic Disney movie is still a staple in entertainment, joining other major franchise releases such as Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek.
- While 'Mission: Impossible-Final Reckoning' may come close to outperforming 'Lilo & Stitch' in terms of box office earnings, the tech-driven action series may face tough competition in the coming months as Marvel, DC Universe, Doctor Who, and others continue to release their own blockbusters.
