Record-Breaking Memorial Day Weekend: ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ Lead Global Box Office
The Memorial Day weekend of 2025 has set a new benchmark for the global film industry, with Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch and Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning leading the box office. Together, the two films amassed a staggering $494.2 million worldwide, marking the most successful Memorial Day weekend in cinema history.
🌺 ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Soars to New Heights
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, a live-action adaptation of the 2002 animated classic, dominated the weekend with a record-breaking $304.2 million in global ticket sales. In the United States and Canada alone, the film earned $145.5 million, surpassing the previous Memorial Day weekend debut record held by Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.
The film’s success is attributed to its nostalgic appeal, strong pre-sale numbers, and positive audience reception. It has become one of Disney’s most successful live-action remakes, trailing only The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017) in domestic earnings.
🕵️ ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ Sets Franchise Record
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning also delivered impressive numbers, grossing $190 million globally over the weekend. In North America, the film earned $77 million, setting a new opening weekend record for the franchise. Internationally, it added $127 million to its total, bringing its worldwide gross to $204 million as of May 26.
Despite its strong performance, the film faced challenges in certain markets. Notably, it underperformed in India, failing to surpass the earnings of its predecessor, Dead Reckoning, despite a two-week head start.
🎬 Industry Implications and Future Outlook
The combined success of these two films has provided a significant boost to the film industry, signaling a strong start to the summer movie season. The record-breaking weekend contributed to a total of $333 million in domestic box office earnings, a 20% increase from the previous year.
Looking ahead, the industry remains optimistic, with upcoming releases such as Ballerina, a How to Train Your Dragon remake, and Jurassic World: Rebirth expected to continue the momentum. Analysts project that the summer box office could reach $4.2 billion, marking a significant recovery from the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Hollywood strikes.
