Memorial Day Weekend Box Office: ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission: Impossible’ Dominate with Record-Breaking Earnings!

This Memorial Day weekend was a big win for theaters, thanks to a chaotic blue alien and Tom Cruise’s latest film. Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” soared to $183 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada, setting a record for the holiday. This beat last year’s busy “Top Gun: Maverick,” which opened with $160.5 million. It’s the first time since 2013 that Memorial Day weekend has seen this kind of box office boom.

Right behind “Lilo & Stitch,” Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” earned $77 million, bringing its global total to $190 million. Other films like “Final Destination Bloodlines” and “Thunderbolts” also made a mark over the weekend.

Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution at Paramount, noted that having a variety of big films is key to drawing audiences back to theaters. “This is an extraordinary accomplishment after many were ready to give up on the theatrical business,” he said.

Total box office earnings for the weekend are projected at $325 million, marking the biggest Memorial Day weekend ever, according to Comscore. This is a welcome change from the pandemic’s impact, where severe lows were common. Last year, for instance, the weekend grossed just $132 million, the lowest in nearly 30 years.

Historically, Memorial Day kickstarts the busy summer movie season. However, the pandemic and recent Hollywood strikes caused uncertainty for filmmakers and theater owners. Eric Handler, a media and entertainment analyst at Roth Capital, remarked, “The calendar thinned out a bit after the pandemic.” But this year, he’s optimistic as the audience responds well to diverse genres.

Film budgets also play a significant role. “Lilo & Stitch” cost about $100 million, while “Mission: Impossible” ranged between $300 million and $400 million, making it one of the priciest films ever produced.

Social media buzz has echoed the enthusiasm for these films. Fans have shared their excitement online, especially young audiences eager to see Cruise perform his stunts. The IMAX screenings of “Mission: Impossible” were particularly successful, earning $31 million, which is 14.2% of the global total that weekend.

This weekend’s success adds to a strong spring for movie theaters, with box office revenue in April reaching about $875 million, close to pre-pandemic figures. Upcoming releases like “Karate Kid: Legends” and “Elio” from Disney-Pixar hold promise for an equally robust summer.

Future predictions look hopeful. Analysts estimate that the 2025 domestic box office could reach between $9.2 billion to $9.5 billion, a notable increase from last year’s $8.7 billion. However, it’s worth remembering that these numbers still lag behind the pre-pandemic highs of over $11 billion, indicating a gradual, yet optimistic recovery for theaters.

In this evolving landscape, one thing is clear: when the content resonates with audiences, they return to theaters. Handler stated, “The content cycle is favorable now, and we hope to see that continue.”

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