Lilo & Stitch ’25. Photograph: Disney
Two cinematic giants are poised to spark fireworks at the box office this Memorial Day weekend. Disney’s heartwarming remake Lilo & Stitch and Paramount’s adrenaline-pumping Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning are expected to lead a holiday weekend that could rewrite box office history.
Stitching Together a Stellar Start
The live-action Lilo & Stitch is tracking a thunderous domestic debut, with estimates ranging from $150 to $160 million across 4,410 North American theaters. The excitement isn’t just buzz—pre-sales are indicating even bigger numbers could be on the horizon.
If early trends continue, this remake may follow the explosive trajectory of Moana 2, which defied projections with $225 million over Thanksgiving. Lilo & Stitch also looks set to pull in another $125 million overseas, which would give it a global launch between $275 million and $285 million.
Disney’s Remake Magic Strikes Again
This latest adaptation taps into nostalgia while reaching new fans. Set in Hawaii, the story of a blue alien named Stitch being adopted by two sisters returns more than 20 years after the 2002 animated original charmed audiences.
Director Dean Fleischer Camp brings together hand-drawn animation, watercolor backdrops, and modern CGI. The result? A whimsical blend of E.T. emotion and Looney Tunes-style chaos that’s winning hearts.
With a $100 million production budget and another $100 million spent on global promotion, Disney is banking on another win. If projections hold, Lilo & Stitch will join the elite company of Disney live-action launches like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.
Cruise Control: A Franchise's Fate Rests on Reckoning
Not far behind, Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is speeding toward an estimated $75 to $85 million domestic opening from 3,800 locations. It’s also expected to collect around $125 million to $130 million internationally, pushing the global debut beyond $200 million.
This could be a franchise-best opening, potentially surpassing 2018’s Fallout, which debuted with $61 million. But this is more than just another mission for Ethan Hunt—it’s a financial imperative.
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
With a jaw-dropping $400 million production budget, inflated by COVID-19 delays, labor strikes, and inflation, this may be one of Hollywood’s most expensive films ever. Paramount is betting big on Cruise, who once again performs gravity-defying stunts in his quest to defeat a rogue AI entity.
The previous installment, Dead Reckoning Part One, underperformed after colliding with the box office wave of Barbenheimer. Its $570 million global take fell short of expectations, making this sequel’s success vital.
Eyes on a Record-Breaking Weekend
All signs point to a massive box office haul. Combined with strong holdovers like Final Destination Bloodlines and Sinners, industry insiders believe this could be the biggest Memorial Day weekend ever.
The current record was set in 2013 at $306 million. That year, Fast & Furious 6, The Hangover Part III, and Star Trek Into Darkness fueled a surge in ticket sales.
Regardless of whether a new record is set, this holiday will be a major improvement over 2024’s disappointing lineup, which included Furiosa and Garfield—the lowest Memorial Day turnout in decades.
Final Verdict?
Disney’s alien misfit and Cruise’s super-spy are leading a thrilling box office comeback. Now, the question is: Can they make history together?
