Lilo & Stitch Teams with Cruise for Memorial Weekend Success
The live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch” joined forces with Tom Cruise to deliver an impressive Memorial Day box office weekend. Disney’s new version of the beloved 2002 story about a Hawaiian girl and her six-legged alien companion earned an estimated $145.5 million in North America, making it the second biggest domestic opening of the year after “A Minecraft Movie.” This four-word keyphrase perfectly captures the exciting partnership that captivated audiences nationwide.
Unlike many live-action remakes that have faced criticism, this film exceeded expectations, earning second only to the $185 million debut of “The Lion King” in 2019. Industry analysts describe the film’s performance as “overperforming by a huge margin,” signaling strong audience enthusiasm.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s Box Office Impact
While “Lilo & Stitch” dominated, Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” starring Tom Cruise followed in second place. This eighth installment in the long-running spy franchise set a new record for the series by earning $63 million domestically over the weekend, surpassing the previous best from 2018’s “Fallout.”
Globally, the spy thriller pulled in $127 million, confirming Cruise’s enduring appeal and the franchise’s strong international fan base. Cruise’s active promotion and the film’s theatrical spectacle have been key factors in attracting audiences. Paramount’s distribution president highlighted how the movie’s scale demands a big-screen experience.
Memorial Day Weekend Breaks Records With Family-Friendly Films
This Memorial Day weekend’s total box office soared past last year’s $132 million, reaching an estimated $325 million. This figure could mark the best Memorial Day performance since 2013. The success also reflects a growing trend: family-friendly PG-rated films are outpacing the usual dominance of PG-13 movies, even with lower ticket prices for younger viewers.
Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” tapped into a deep affection for its unique pairing of characters, while recent hits like “A Minecraft Movie,” “Sinners,” “Thunderbolts,” and “Final Destination: Bloodlines” helped build momentum in theaters. Experts say this strong lineup helped ignite the record-breaking holiday weekend.
Top Ten Domestic Box Office Films This Weekend
According to industry estimates, the top ten movies from Friday through Sunday included:
1. “Lilo & Stitch” – $145.5 million
2. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” – $63 million
3. “Final Destination: Bloodlines” – $19.7 million
4. “Thunderbolts” – $9.2 million
5. “Sinners” – $8.8 million
6. “The Last Rodeo” – $5.3 million
7. “Friendship” – $4.6 million
8. “A Minecraft Movie” – $2.2 million
9. “The Accountant 2” – $2 million
10. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – $740,000
Despite some critics questioning the necessity of more Disney live-action remakes, audiences clearly responded positively to this latest “Lilo & Stitch,” proving that some stories still resonate strongly across generations.
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