Disney’s Lilo & Stitch Dethrones Mission: Impossible With Historic Memorial Day Box Office Smash
Hold up, did Disney just flex on Tom Cruise at the holiday box office? This Memorial Day weekend saw the live-action Lilo & Stitch ride a massive wave right past Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, netting an eye-popping $183 million domestically and $341.7 million worldwide (Box Office Mojo). Meanwhile, Cruise’s eighth and possibly last Ethan Hunt caper managed a respectable $77 million at home and $190 million globally.
Written and directed by original animation mastermind Chris Sanders, who also voices Stitch, Disney’s blockbuster reboot introduced Hawaiian child star Maia Kealoha as Lilo, with Sydney Agudong stepping into the role of protective sister Nani. Kaipo Dudoit pops up as Nani’s loyal friend David, Courtney B. Vance brings Cobra Bubbles to life, Billy Magnussen tackles Pleakley, and Zach Galifianakis steals scenes as Dr. Jumba Jookiba. This all-star ensemble gave fans a fresh take on the 2002 classic—proving blue chaos is still a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lilo & Stitch now claims the title of biggest unadjusted Memorial Day weekend opener ever. That’s no small feat when you consider the competition from four decades of blockbuster releases. For Disney, this is a reminder that nostalgia mixed with new blood (read: Kealoha’s charming performance) can still conquer a franchise juggernaut.
On the other side of the multiplex, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning delivered non-stop globe-trotting thrills as Ethan Hunt and his IMF crew (Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff) battled a rogue AI known as “the Entity.” Returning veterans like Ving Rhames, Angela Bassett and Henry Czerny rounded out the cast, delivering expected high-octane set pieces born from decades of Impossible Missions lore. Yet even Tom Cruise’s flawless stunts couldn’t compete with Stitch’s adorable mayhem.
Industry insiders point to aggressive marketing, family-friendly appeal and the inherent charm of a beloved Disney property as key drivers in Lilo & Stitch’s record haul. Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures and Skydance’s finale for Ethan Hunt remains on track for a solid run, thanks to a dedicated fan base and Cruise’s star power.
Whether this marks a shift in holiday box office dynamics or simply a home-run remix of a childhood favorite, one thing’s clear: Disney’s blue alien has snapped up the crown for Memorial Day weekend. What’s next for these summer heavyweights? Keep an eye on sequel announcements, streaming deals and merchandising booms. Anyway, that’s the tea—take it or leave it.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Box Office Mojo, The Hollywood Reporter
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
