In the early months of 2025, Hollywood’s box office appeared to be in trouble, mirroring sentiments of concern and uncertainty that had plagued the industry in the previous year. However, a distinct turnaround has occurred thanks to the wildly successful holiday weekend, particularly influenced by two major film releases: Disney’s latest adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch” and the eighth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. This triumvirate of movies has breathed new life into the box office, culminating in an astonishing estimated weekend haul of $325 million for Memorial Day.
“Lilo & Stitch,” a live-action remake of the beloved 2002 animated classic, has made a significant impact, grossing around $145.5 million in domestic sales from Friday to Sunday, and is projected to earn an additional $37.5 million by late Monday. Initial projections had aimed for a robust opening week of at least $160 million over the extended holiday weekend. If these estimates hold true, “Lilo & Stitch” would outperform the previous record for Memorial Day, set by Paramount’s “Top Gun Maverick,” which had garnered $160 million in 2022, according to Comscore’s analysis of box office trends.
Competing with Disney’s ambitious release, Paramount and Skydance’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” also exceeded projections. This latest action-packed entry in the franchise, starring the ever-popular Tom Cruise, took home approximately $63 million by Sunday, which was better than the $60 million estimates for its opening weekend. With expectations for total earnings reaching about $77 million through Memorial Day, this film has achieved the best-ever three-day debut within the franchise, eclipsing the previous high set by “Mission: Impossible — Fallout” in 2018, which opened to a solid $61 million.
Senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore remarked on the significance of this spike in box office revenue, noting it “put a spotlight on Memorial Day weekend” and reflected on the industry’s upswing compared to the dismal performance of the previous year, where only $132 million was grossed over the same weekend. The fact that Americans are now returning to theaters en masse can be attributed to other well-received recent releases, including “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners,” with the two films collectively racking up an impressive $677.4 million in ticket sales.
Sean Robbins, a noted director of analytics at Fandango and the founder of Box Office Theory, heralded the resurgence as a fortuitous script for the film industry, particularly because Memorial Day weekend has historically been an important indicator of summer box office trends. This surge appears to be on par with 2023’s robust financial performance, with predictions suggesting that the total summer box office could surpass $4 billion.
The success of “Lilo & Stitch” marks a pivotal moment for Disney’s live-action adaptations, achieving the third-largest opening weekend among these films. This contrasts sharply with the lackluster performance of “Snow White,” released earlier in the spring, which was mired by controversies and fell short of its projections. However, “Lilo & Stitch” resonates better with audiences, reminding many of the joy brought by the original animated film from two decades ago. Daniel Loria, an editorial director at Box Office Pro, highlighted that this installment is set to surpass the original’s total domestic earnings, which were approximately $145 million.
As analysts and moviegoers alike are buoyed by the unfolding success, it is essential to acknowledge the unique experiences that films like “Lilo & Stitch” provide. The narrative surrounding this cinematic revival not only stems from impressive numbers but also from the shared joy of returning to theaters in a post-pandemic climate. Michael O’Leary, the president and CEO of Cinema United, emphasized the special nature of the collective theater experience, where audiences feel connected through a shared love for films.
As we move forward in 2025, the question looms whether Hollywood can maintain the momentum. The revitalization of the box office serves as a reminder of the magic that cinema can create and the enduring allure of film as a medium for connection and storytelling. The weekend’s successes not only invigorated Hollywood’s financial landscape but also served as a testament to the enduring cultural significance of cinematic experiences.