Memorial Day Box Office Smash: ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Surges to Record-Breaking Weekend While ‘Mission: Impossible’ Debuts with $24.8 Million!

Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” remake is making waves this Memorial Day weekend, raking in an impressive $55 million from Friday and preview screenings. It looks set to break records for the holiday weekend, competing against another big release, Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” which earned $24.8 million on its opening day.

“Lilo & Stitch” is the second-biggest opening day movie for 2025, just behind “A Minecraft Movie,” which grossed $57.1 million in April. This family-friendly film, made with a budget of $100 million, is on track to surpass its animated predecessor’s total worldwide gross of $273 million in just its first weekend.

Despite past challenges with live-action adaptations, like the disappointing “Snow White,” “Lilo & Stitch” has found a warm reception. Early reviews are good, and it received an “A” rating from Cinema Score, indicating that audiences are excited. As schools let out for summer, the film is likely to attract even more viewers.

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the cast includes Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, and Zach Galifianakis, who brings back the voice of Stitch. The enthusiasm for the film suggests it’s poised to become a must-see blockbuster.

In the second spot, “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” is also achieving strong numbers. It has a chance to beat the franchise’s previous record, which was set by “Mission: Impossible — Fallout” at $61 million. With positive reviews and projections of reaching $77 million over the holiday, it’s clear that this installment is living up to expectations.

The hefty production budget of $400 million for “The Final Reckoning” makes it one of the most expensive films ever, reflecting the challenges faced during its making. This included navigating COVID-19 protocols, two Hollywood strikes, and rising costs, which significantly impacted production.

While the film has received positive ratings, it hasn’t reached the high critical acclaim often associated with the franchise. Cinema Score’s “A-” grade shows that audiences are enjoying it, even if the reviews are slightly more mixed.

As for box office history, this weekend could potentially break the all-time Memorial Day record of $306 million set in 2013. Last year’s box office was one of the weakest in decades, making this resurgence crucial for theaters.

Other movies are also making their mark. “Final Destination: Bloodlines” earned $5.5 million on Friday, aiming for a solid $19 million weekend. This revival of a classic horror series is already breaking records for the franchise.

Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” came in fourth, bringing in $2.4 million and surpassing a $164 million domestic total. While it’s holding up better than “Captain America: Brave New World,” it seeks to push past the $200 million mark.

In fifth place, “Sinners” continues to perform well, having surpassed $250 million. The acclaimed vampire thriller might break into the top ten highest-grossing R-rated films soon.

Finally, “The Last Rodeo,” a family drama from Angel Studios, opened with $2.07 million, while A24’s comedy “Friendship” expanded to 1,055 theaters with earnings of about $1.6 million.

As these films dominate the box office, we can see a thrilling landscape of cinema that reflects changing tastes and exciting trends in the industry.



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