‘Lilo & Stitch’ Breaks Box Office Records at $183M

This year’s Memorial Day weekend delivered a box office bonanza, and leading the charge was Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, which defied all expectations with a massive $183 million haul over the four-day holiday. 

Not only did this surprise hit set new Memorial Day movie records, it also became a shining example of Disney live-action success, one the studio desperately needed after some recent misfires.

This time last year, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning gave action fans their fill, pulling in a franchise-best at $63 million and adding even more fireworks to an already explosive weekend. Together, let’s break down what made this the biggest Memorial Day at the movies ever.

‘Lilo & Stitch’ Smashes Box Office Records with $183M Debut

It’s official: the Lilo & Stitch box office debut wasn’t just good; it was historic. Opening to $145.5 million domestically and climbing to $183 million through Monday, the lovable alien and his Hawaiian ohana rocketed past projections and snatched the Memorial Day crown right out of Tom Cruise’s hands.

Globally, the movie blasted off with $341.7 million, an incredible feat for a film that cost $100 million to make, with another $100 million in marketing. That’s a strong return on investment for a remake that had fans both nostalgic and skeptical going in.

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), this new take on the 2002 animated classic clearly struck a chord. Audiences gave it an “A” CinemaScore, and families came out in droves. It now ranks as one of Disney’s top three live-action launches, right behind The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017).

Tom Cruise Box Office Success with ‘Mission: Impossible’ In 2025

While Stitch may have stolen the spotlight, Ethan Hunt still came to our rescue. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning opened to $77 million across the long weekend, as well, narrowly beating Fallout’s previous franchise high. Overall, it brought in $204 million worldwide. 

That’s not too bad for a film that cost a staggering $500 million to make. (That’s pandemic delays, strikes, and inflation for you.) This eighth installment once again put Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts front and center. And let’s not forget: he’s 62 but still running on rooftops like it’s 1992.

Other Players at the Box Office Party

It’s not just Disney and Paramount that can deliver fantastic summer movie debuts. Final Destination Bloodlines pulled in horror fans last year, earning $24.5 million over the holiday and reaching $187 million globally. 

Marvel’s Thunderbolts made $76 million during its opening weekend before raking in $325 million globally. 

And Sinners, a vampire thriller from Warner Bros., quietly crossed the $300 million mark worldwide. How’s that for a film with virtually no superheroes or explosions?

Meanwhile, Minecraft almost made the billion-dollar milestone at $720 million worldwide. But with Stitch in the ring, we wonder if that record could be up for grabs.

A Win for Disney and a New Era for Summer Movies

The Lilo & Stitch box office performance isn’t just a win for Disney. It’s a reminder of how powerful a well-made, emotionally resonant film can be. Audiences aren’t just chasing nostalgia; they’re looking for connection, charm, and a little chaos – even in the form of a blue alien.

With Tom Cruise doing what he does best, this is a Memorial Day weekend to remember. And, if it's any sign of what’s ahead, then we can safely say the summer movie season is officially on.