Lilo & Stitch breaks Memorial Day weekend opening records

The recent release of the live-action adaptation of "Lilo & Stitch" has made significant waves in the film industry, breaking Memorial Day weekend box office records. The film debuted to an impressive $183 million, surpassing the previous record held by "Top Gun: Maverick" . This remarkable opening not only highlights the film's commercial success but also reflects a broader trend in which nostalgia-driven projects resonate strongly with audiences. The film's opening ranks as the second-largest for any four-day holiday weekend, following only "Black Panther," further emphasizing its impact .

Lilo & Stitch dominated the box office with a $341.7 million global opening ($183 million domestic, $158.7 million international), making it the top film worldwide, according to Comscore. Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning secured the franchise's best opening ever with an estimated $190 million globally ($77 million domestic), and its China opening is still to come. Final box office totals could exceed current estimates.

The highly-anticipated adaptation, which includes tons of the iconic original moments beloved by fans, beat 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick for the biggest Memorial Day weekend debut in history. Maverick earned $126 million over the weekend and $160 million through the four-day holiday weekend total. Lilo & Stitch hit a record-breaking $183 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo.

As with previous Mission: Impossible films, Final Reckoning was among the most expensive films ever made, with a $400 million net budget before marketing. Dead Reckoning had a $291 million budget, Fallout had a $178 million budget, and Rogue Nation had a $150 million budget, according to BoxOfficeMojo. The original Mission: Impossible, released in 1996, had an $80 million budget.

Factors contributing to this unprecedented success include a combination of nostalgia and family-friendly appeal. Many viewers who grew up with the original animated version are now introducing their children to this beloved story, creating a multi-generational audience base . Additionally, the resurgence of theatrical attendance following pandemic-related disruptions has revitalized interest in blockbuster films, allowing titles like "Lilo & Stitch" to thrive in a competitive market . The film’s ability to capture both new and returning audiences underscores its significance within contemporary cinema.

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Sarah H

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