Blockbusters Take the Lead on Memorial Day Weekend: Mission Impossible and Lilo & Stitch Dominate Box Office Earnings
Memorial Day weekend witnessed the premiere of two highly anticipated films, "Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning" and "Lilo & Stitch." According to Variety, this holiday weekend saw the largest box office revenue in history, as both films are performing exceptionally well in theaters.
In a remarkable display, "Lilo & Stitch" has surpassed initial projections and has earned a worldwide sum of $341.7 million so far. The film's domestic earnings of $145.5 million have outstripped the $160 million made by "Top Gun: Maverick" in 2022, making it the top Memorial Day opening weekend. Domestically, it ranks as the second-best holiday weekend start, trailing behind "Black Panther's" $242 million during Presidents Day 2018. With anticipated earnings of $183 million by the end of the four-day weekend, "Lilo & Stitch" is one of Disney's most successful live-action remakes, just behind 2019's "The Lion King" and 2017's "Beauty & the Beast."
Meanwhile, "Final Reckoning" opened with $190 million worldwide. The film's international audience contributed to $127 million of that total, as it had already been released a week prior in Australia, South Korea, and other territories. By the end of the weekend, its domestic sales may reach $77 million, marking a new record for the Mission: Impossible series. Both films have received favorable critical and audience reception, with growing buzz leading up to their releases. The nostalgia surrounding both movies contributes to their appeal; "Lilo & Stitch" is based on the 23-year-old classic Disney film, and "Final Reckoning" may be the last installment in the series or the last to feature Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt.
In addition to these fresh releases, holdovers like "Final Destination Bloodlines," "Sinners," and "Thunderbolts" have also attracted audiences. Remarkably, audiences have been attending theaters during Memorial Day more frequently than in over a decade. This is a significant improvement from the weaker showings of "Furiosa" and "Garfield" in 2024. The summer season continues with the releases of "Ballerina," "How to Train Your Dragon," and "28 Years Later" in June, followed by "Superman" and "Fantastic Four" in July.
Share your thoughts on "Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning" and "Lilo & Stitch" in the comments below.
For more io9 news, stay updated on the latest releases from Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and other exciting developments in the DC Universe, Doctor Who, and more.
Technology blogs echo the incredible success of the recent film releases, with "Lilo & Stitch" leading the pack. Gizmodo and Io9 are particularly interested in the fact that "Lilo & Stitch" has surpassed initial projections and is set to earn $183 million during the Memorial Day weekend, making it one of Disney's most successful live-action remakes. Additionally, movie enthusiasts on sites like Movies-and-TV are anticipating the future releases of "Ballerina," "How to Train Your Dragon," "28 Years Later," "Superman," and "Fantastic Four," marking a promising entertainment landscape ahead in the realm of movies and TV entertainment.
