Lilo & Stitch Sets Record-Breaking Tone for 2025 Memorial Day Box Office
Disney's live-action remake of "Lilo & Stitch" has opened with a staggering $170 million to $180 million at the domestic box office, setting a record-breaking tone for this year's Memorial Day weekend.
According to early estimates from The Hollywood Reporter, the film is poised to claim the title of biggest Memorial Day opening collection of all time, surpassing even Tom Cruise's highly anticipated final outing as Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning". While "Final Reckoning" is expected to open with a franchise-best $78 million, Cruise's long-running spy franchise must significantly perform globally to turn a profit.
The movie's impressive start comes as no surprise, given its significant nostalgia value for Gen Z and Millennials, many of whom grew up watching the original animated film. Industry insiders describe the film's success as remarkable, drawing comparisons to Disney's 2019 live-action remake of "Aladdin", which grossed over $1.1 billion globally.
The film's modest production budget of $100 million has catapulted it to blockbuster status, driven by a multigenerational appeal and powerful word-of-mouth. In contrast, Cruise's latest outing faced significantly higher stakes, with an estimated net production budget of $400 million (excluding marketing) and a jaw-dropping $1 billion global box office goal.
Analysts predict that "Lilo & Stitch" will propel the domestic box office to potentially biggest Memorial Day weekend in history, solidifying Disney's dominance on this crucial holiday. "This is shaping up to be one of the most lucrative box office clashes in recent memory," according to experts.
The box office performance comes as "Top Gun: Maverick", which initially held the record for Memorial Day opening with an impressive $160 million, now faces competition from "Lilo & Stitch". As anticipation builds around both films, fans are in for a thrilling showdown that will set new highs and push boundaries.