‘Karate Kid: Legends’ Struggles at the Box Office Against ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and ‘Mission: Impossible’ – What Went Wrong?

While the future of Karate Kid: Legends is uncertain, expectations for its box office debut are mixed. The film features original star Ralph Macchio alongside Jackie Chan, who starred in the 2010 version. Sony anticipates an opening weekend gross of $21 million to $23 million, though some industry insiders are estimating it will land closer to $19 million. Just a few weeks ago, projections were as high as $35 million, but momentum has shifted. Despite the fluctuating numbers, Sony is optimistic, citing an A- CinemaScore and positive audience feedback. The film also has a reasonable production budget of $45 million.

Audience reactions, in contrast to critics, have been more favorable. Ben Wang leads the cast, with Macchio reprising his role from the iconic 1984 film and the recent hit series Cobra Kai, which ended after six successful seasons.

Looking back, the franchise experienced a strong revival in 2010 with The Karate Kid, which opened to $55 million and became one of that year’s biggest hits. Some fans speculate that they might be focusing their attention on Cobra Kai instead of the new film, especially given the mixed reviews for Legends.

Competition at the box office this weekend is tough. Lilo & Stitch, a Disney adaptation, is shattering records, projected to gross over $60 million in its second weekend alone and has already earned around $280 million domestically. Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is also performing well, with an estimated $28 million in its second weekend, pushing its total to $122 million.

In addition to Karate Kid, A24’s thriller Bring Her Back, starring Sally Hawkins, is also making waves, with a projected fifth-place opening. Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and is expected to have the highest per-location average of the year, opening in just six locations.

The landscape of cinema is quite dynamic right now, and box office success often hinges on audience engagement, nostalgia, and timing. As we see with Cobra Kai and Lilo & Stitch, familiarity can breed success, tapping into both new viewers and long-time fans.

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