Blockbusters Shake Up Memorial Day Weekend Box Office: Mission Impossible, Lilo & Stitch Lead Earnings
In a historic Memorial Day weekend for Hollywood, "Lilo & Stitch" and "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" have shattered box office records, amassing a combined worldwide gross of $500 million. According to Variety, this weekend's box office receipts reach an estimated $328 million, surpassing the previous record of $314 million set in 2013 before inflation adjustment.
"Lilo & Stitch" has outpaced initial projections, earning a domestic total of $145.5 million as of this writing. This remarkable performance surpasses the $160 million four-day take of "Top Gun: Maverick" in 2022, making it the new Memorial Day opening weekend record-holder. Domestically, it ranks second only to "Black Panther's" $242 million gross during Presidents Day 2018.
"Lilo & Stitch" also marks one of the biggest debuts for Disney's live-action remakes, with only 2019's "The Lion King" and 2017's "Beauty & the Beast" earning higher domestic openings. By the end of the four-day weekend, "Lilo & Stitch" is expected to reach $183 million.
Meanwhile, "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" opened with a worldwide total of $190 million, with international audiences contributing $127 million to the gross. By the weekend's end, the film's domestic take of $63 million may jump to $77 million, setting a new record for the "Mission: Impossible" series. Both films have enjoyed strong critical and audience reception, bolstered by growing momentum ahead of their releases.
Audiences have also shown strong support for holdover titles like "Final Destination Bloodlines," "Sinners," and "Thunderbolts." This marked return to theaters during Memorial Day weekend more closely resembles trends from a decade ago, representing a significant improvement over 2024's weaker showings of "Furiosa" and "Garfield."
Looking ahead, the summer movie season will continue with 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 updates on upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who releases. Share your thoughts on "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" and "Lilo & Stitch" in the comments below.
Gizmodo might discuss the breakthrough performance of "Lilo & Stitch" as it becomes the new Memorial Day opening weekend record-holder, surpassing "Top Gun: Maverick" in 2022. The tech-focused entertainment website IO9 could also delve into the strongBox Office performances of both "Lilo & Stitch" and "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning," highlighting how these films have revitalized the Hollywood film industry in the face of recent challenges. Lastly, with the summer movie season on the horizon, Movies-and-TV may preview upcoming releases like "Ballerina," "How to Train Your Dragon," and "Superman," providing a glimpse into the future of the entertainment industry.
