Lilo & Stitch Breaks Memorial Day Box Office Records with $183M Opening.
This Memorial Day weekend marked a historic milestone at the box office, with Disney’s "Lilo & Stitch" leading the charge, delivering an astonishing $183 million debut in North America. Fueled by a mix of family audiences, animation lovers, and millennial nostalgia, the film filled theaters from Friday through Monday, soaring past all industry forecasts.
A Global Smash Hit
International markets mirrored domestic enthusiasm, generating $158.7 million, bringing the worldwide total to $341.7 million in just four days. That launch cements Lilo & Stitch as Disney’s third-highest global opening for a live-action film, behind only The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. It also shattered the previous Memorial Day record, held by Top Gun: Maverick, which pulled in $160 million over four days in 2022.
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In another victory for Disney, the film has already outperformed the entire domestic box office run of the original 2002 animated version, which earned $145.8 million. This success is partially attributed to Disney’s aggressive marketing strategy, which insiders report matched the production budget—a total of $200 million split evenly between production and global promotion.
The strategy proved effective, especially compared to Snow White, another Disney adaptation that struggled at the box office. Snow White earned just $204 million globally on a reported $250 million budget. Lilo & Stitch, by contrast, surpassed that total in less than a week.
Cruise Powers Mission: Impossible’s Momentum
Not to be overshadowed, Tom Cruise’s "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" launched to $63 million domestically over three days and $77 million across the four-day weekend. Globally, the film earned $190 million, bolstered by $127 million in international sales. It set a new franchise opening record, edging out Fallout’s $61 million U.S. debut.
However, with a reported $400 million production cost, largely driven by COVID-19 delays and inflation, the stakes remain high. Insiders say the film needs to outperform Fallout’s $791 million global haul to break even. Still, the franchise is known for its endurance, with Cruise’s star power and strong overseas markets often driving long box office legs.
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Other Highlights and New Records
In third place, "Final Destination: Bloodlines" added $24.5 million over the long weekend, boosting its domestic total to $94.6 million and its global total to $187 million—making it the most successful entry in the franchise to date.
Holdovers like "Thunderbolts" and "Sinners" continued to draw steady audiences, contributing to a record-breaking Memorial Day weekend box office total of $322 million. That number surpasses the 2013 record held by Fast & Furious 6, The Hangover Part III, and Star Trek Into Darkness, which combined for $314 million.
Just one year ago, Memorial Day weekend saw dismal numbers—only $132 million, thanks to underwhelming returns from Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Garfield. The dramatic year-over-year turnaround suggests audiences are once again embracing theatrical releases, especially those with beloved characters, cinematic scale, and trusted stars.
Looking Ahead
Disney executives have already hinted at a potential Lilo & Stitch sequel, given its explosive debut and global appeal. Tom Cruise is reportedly considering his final outing as Ethan Hunt, though whether the franchise will end or reboot remains to be seen.
The strong Memorial Day turnout sets an optimistic tone for the summer box office. Studios are preparing to ride the wave with upcoming blockbusters like Karate Kid: Legends, How to Train Your Dragon (live-action), Jurassic World Rebirth, James Gunn’s Superman, and Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps.
If this weekend is any indication, the box office is back in full force. With record-shattering numbers, revitalized franchises, and passionate audiences, Hollywood is entering the summer season with momentum and optimism—reminding everyone of the unmatched magic of the big screen.
