Blockbuster Movies Rake in Substantial Memorial Day Revenue: Mission: Impossible and Lilo & Stitch
This Memorial Day weekend, two mammoth Hollywood blockbusters have taken cinemas by storm: "Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning" and "Lilo & Stitch".
According to Variety, the combined box office revenue of these two films has shattered previous Memorial Day records, amassing a colossal $341.7 million worldwide. "Lilo & Stitch" alone has outperformed expectations, earning $145.5 million domestically and $183 million over the four-day weekend, eclipsing the previous record holder, "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022), with a $160.5 million Memorial Day weekend take [2][4].
Domestically, "Lilo & Stitch" trails only "Black Panther" (2018) in Memorial Day weekend openings, raking in $242 million during Presidents Day. Interestingly, "Lilo & Stitch" ranks among Disney's top live-action remakes, landing just behind "The Lion King" (2019) and "Beauty & the Beast" (2017), which respectively grossed $191 million and $174 million [4].
Meanwhile, "Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning" debuted with $190 million worldwide, with a significant chunk coming from international markets. By the weekend's end, its $63 million domestic gross could potentially swell to $77 million, breaking the record for the "Mission: Impossible" franchise [2].
Both films have been met with critical and audience acclaim, fueled by their nostalgic appeal. "Lilo & Stitch" draws on the charm of Disney's 23-year-old classic, while "The Final Reckoning" could mark the end of the line for the series or just the last appearance of Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt [2].
Other popular holdovers like "Final Destination Bloodlines", "Sinners", and "Thunderbolts" also enjoyed a surge in viewership, making it the busiest Memorial Day weekend at theaters in over a decade, overshadowing previous underperformers like "Furiosa" and "Garfield" [2].
The summer movie season promises even more blockbusters, including "Ballerina", "How to Train Your Dragon", and "28 Years Later" in June, followed by "Superman" and "Fantastic Four" in July [2].
Share your thoughts on "Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning" and "Lilo & Stitch" in the comments.
For more io9 news, check out the latest updates on "Marvel", "Star Wars", and "Star Trek" releases, the future of the "DC Universe" on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the forthcoming "Doctor Who" [5].
Enrichment Data:
**Overall: **The highest-grossing Memorial Day weekend movie openings in North America have included several blockbuster hits across various years. As of June 2025, the live-action remake of "Lilo & Stitch" (2025) has set a new record, grossing an estimated $183 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend, which surpasses all previous Memorial Day weekend openings[2][4].
Comparisons with Previous Memorial Day Weekend Openings:
- "Lilo & Stitch" (2025): $145.5 million (3-day), $183 million (4-day estimate), making it the highest-grossing Memorial Day weekend opening ever[2][4].
- "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022): Opened to $160.5 million over the Memorial Day weekend, previously holding the record for the largest Memorial Day debut until "Lilo & Stitch" surpassed it[4].
- Other Notable Disney Releases: While not all Memorial Day openings, for context - "The Lion King" (2019, live-action) debuted to $191.7 million but not specifically over Memorial Day weekend, and "Beauty and the Beast" (2017, live-action) started with $174.7 million (again, not specifically a Memorial Day weekend release)[4].
Summary Table:
| Movie Title | Memorial Day Weekend Gross | Year ||------------------------------|----------------------------|-------|| Lilo & Stitch | $183M (4-day) | 2025 || Top Gun: Maverick | $160.5M | 2022 || Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning | $63M (part of 2025 slate, not top Memorial Day) | 2025 |
Key Takeaway:"Lilo & Stitch" (2025) now holds the record for the highest-grossing Memorial Day weekend opening of all time in North America, surpassing previous top performers like "Top Gun: Maverick", which was itself a record-setter just a few years prior[2][4]. The overall box office for the 2025 Memorial Day weekend also set an all-time high, driven by "Lilo & Stitch" and other major releases[3][4].
The economic success of "Lilo & Stitch" (2025) has solidified its position as the highest-grossing Memorial Day weekend opening in North America, surpassing the previous record holder, "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022), with an estimated $183 million over four days. Notably, this performance places "Lilo & Stitch" among Disney's top live-action remakes, with only "The Lion King" (2019) and "Beauty & the Beast" (2017) earning more domestically [4].
Additionally, technology enthusiasts can look forward to developments in the field with updates on "Marvel", "Star Wars", and "Star Trek" releases, as well as the future of the "DC Universe" on film and TV through Gizmodo and io9 [5].
The summer movie season is expected to bring more blockbuster films to cinemas, with movies like "Ballerina", "How to Train Your Dragon", and "28 Years Later" in June, followed by "Superman" and "Fantastic Four" in July, further fueling the entertainment industry's momentum [2].
