Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch” has emerged as a box office powerhouse this Memorial Day weekend, generating an impressive $145.5 million in North American theaters, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. This remarkable opening makes it the second-highest domestic debut of the year, trailing only behind the blockbuster success of “A Minecraft Movie.”
This latest installment is a faithful remake of the beloved 2002 original, which tells the story of a six-legged alien and a young Hawaiian girl. The original film has developed a significant cult following over the years, ensuring a warm reception for its live-action counterpart.
In a notable contrast, Paramount Pictures' “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” featuring Tom Cruise in what is anticipated to be his final portrayal of the iconic character Ethan Hunt, opened to a far lesser $63 million in domestic earnings. Although considerably less than “Lilo & Stitch,” this figure set a new record for the franchise, surpassing the $61 million opening of “Mission: Impossible: Fallout” in 2018.
Globally, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” outperformed “Lilo & Stitch,” raking in a total of $127 million worldwide, while the latter garnered an impressive $111 million. This opening weekend allowed “The Final Reckoning,” directed for the first time by Christopher McQuarrie within the franchise, to secure its status as a box office contender on both domestic and international scales.
The previous film in the series, 2023’s “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” had opened with an impressive $80 million during a five-day holiday weekend but fell short of expectations with a $56.2 million take over its first three days. Such disparities in performance highlight the varying audience reactions and expectations tied to each franchise.
As the summer box office season begins to unfold, the stellar performance of “Lilo & Stitch” indicates a strong appetite among moviegoers for familiar stories reborn through new cinematic lenses. With its captivating blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling, Disney's latest offering seems poised to capture the hearts of both new viewers and long-time fans alike, while “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” represents a significant chapter in one of the industry's longest-running action franchises.
As both films continue to find their footing in an ever-competitive landscape, industry observers and analysts are keenly watching audience reactions and box office trends that will set the tone for the remainder of the summer's cinematic offerings.
