Blockbuster Movies Rake in Major Earnings over Memorial Day Weekend: Mission: Impossible and Lilo & Stitch Lead the Pack
Hollywood Blowout: A Triumphant Memorial Day Weekend at the Box Office
This Memorial Day weekend, the theaters are abuzz with excitement as two blockbusters, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Lilo & Stitch, captivate audiences worldwide. According to Variety, these films have kicked off the "largest Memorial Day holiday in history," raking in a jaw-dropping $341.7 million globally, setting new records.
Lilo & Stitch has not only surpassed initial projections but has floored critics with its current domestic earnings of $145.5 million, outstripping Top Gun: Maverick's (2022) $160 million during all four days of its 2022 run. Domestically, it stands second only to Black Panther's colossal $242 million trophy won during Presidents Day 2018. With a projected $183 million by the end of the four-day weekend, Lilo sits comfortably among Disney's biggest live-action remake debuts, just behind 2019's The Lion King and 2017's Beauty & the Beast.
On the other hand, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning debuted with a resounding $190 million worldwide, with a significant chunk, $127 million, coming from its international audience. By the weekend's end, its $63 million domestic take could leap up to $77 million, shattering the Mission: Impossible series record. Both movies have earned critical and audience appreciation, driven by growing hype before their releases and a lingering sense of nostalgia. Lilo is a refreshed take on a 23-year-old Disney classic, while The Final Reckoning may mark the swansong of the series, or just the end for Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt.
Other notable holdovers this weekend include Final Destination Bloodlines, Sinners, and Thunderbolts. It has been over a decade since Memorial Day weekend saw such a robust turnout for theaters, a vast improvement compared to the tepid showings of Furiosa and Garfield in 2024 [1]. As the summer season revs up, we can look forward to the releases of Ballerina, How to Train Your Dragon, and 28 Years Later in June, followed by Superman and Fantastic Four in July.
Stay tuned for more updates on your favorite films and series, including Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, the DC Universe, and Doctor Who. Let us know your thoughts on Mission: Impossible and Lilo & Stitch in the comments below [2].
Fun Fact: Did you know that as of the latest data, Lilo & Stitch (2025) currently holds the top spot for highest-grossing Memorial Day weekend movies at an estimated $183 million over the four-day weekend [1][2][4]? Take a look at some of the top-grossing Memorial Day weekend movies:
- Lilo & Stitch (2025): $183 million (4-day estimate) [1][2].
- Top Gun: Maverick (2022): $160.5 million (4-day total) [2].
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007): $139.8 million (4-day total).
[1] Variety[2] Box Office Mojo[3] Forbes[4] The Hollywood Reporter
- The success of Lilo & Stitch (2025) has placed it at the top of the list for highest-grossing Memorial Day weekend movies, according to The Hollywood Reporter, with an estimated $183 million over the four-day weekend.
- In the realm of technology and entertainment, Gizmodo and io9 have been discussing the impact of Lilo & Stitch's victory at the Memorial Day box office, alongside the future releases of movies-and-tv such as Ballerina, How to Train Your Dragon, and 28 Years Later.
- As the buzz around Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning fades, entertainment enthusiasts are already looking forward to upcoming movies, such as Superman and Fantastic Four, slated for July, marking a promising summer season ahead.
