After a slow start to 2025, the Hollywood box office has pulled off a “Stitchpossible” comeback buoyed by a huge holiday weekend. Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” and the eighth installment of “Mission: Impossible” helped spark a record $325 million estimated box office haul for Memorial Day weekend. “Lilo & Stitch” grossed roughly $145.5 million domestically Friday through Sunday and is expected to earn another $37.5 million by late Monday after expectations of at least $160 million for the three-day weekend. It is expected to be the highest-grossing opening for the holiday weekend, likely edging the 2022 release of Paramount’s “Top Gun Maverick” ($160 million), according to Comscore data. “Lilo & Stitch,” a live-action remake of the 2002 animated film, surged ahead of Paramount and Skydance’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” which grossed about $63 million in domestic sales through Sunday, surpassing projections of about $60 million for the three-day weekend. The latest Tom Cruise blockbuster is expected to earn about $77 million through the holiday and is the best three-day opening for the franchise, topping 2018’s “Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” which earned $61 million. “That perfect combination of ‘Lilo and Stitch’ and ‘Mission: Impossible’ put a spotlight on Memorial Day weekend,” Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, told CNN on Sunday. “We were singing a very sad song a year ago.” The strong Memorial Day weekend box office is an encouraging sign for the industry, which had grossed a tepid $132 million for the weekend last year. Many Americans have returned to movie theaters since April with the releases of “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners,” which have combined to gross $677.4 million. Both movies are distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Warner Bros. Discovery is the parent company of CNN. “You really couldn’t formulate or write a better script for the movie industry to see this kind of a turnaround on what’s usually been a pretty important bellwether for the summer box office,” said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder and owner of Box Office Theory. “Lilo & Stitch” is also the third highest-grossing opening weekend for Disney’s live actions, which have not always met expectations. In late March, the release of “Snow White” fell well short of industry projections, due in part to some well-publicized controversies. But “Lilo & Stitch” is more in line with the 2017 release of “Beauty and the Beast,” which opened to $174.75 million, said Daniel Loria, editorial director at Box Office Pro. Loria added that this “Lilo & Stitch” installment will make more than the roughly $145 million that the original managed domestically over its entire theatrical run. “When there’s a property like (‘Lilo & Stitch’) that’s been able to define an audience for two decades after its theatrical release, and hit that same audience that grew up with the movie with a chance to take their own family, their own kids to go see it … we see great returns on that,” said Loria. Dergarabedian said the summer movie box office could exceed $4 billion, which would be in line with 2023. The ‘Barbenheimer’ effect Box office analysts and social media have used the term “Stitchpossible” and other variations to conjure the smashing success of 2023 blockbusters “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” which was dubbed “Barbenheimer.” But Americans aren’t necessarily heading to theaters to take part in a cultural phenomenon. Loria described the success of “Barbenheimer” as “organic” and “a viral phenomenon” that doesn’t necessarily need to be replicated every time two major movies open on the same weekend. “It didn’t used to be weird when you had two big movies come out on the same weekend. That wasn’t an anomaly,” he said. Robbins doesn’t think there will ever be another “Barbenheimer.” But he called efforts by moviegoers to create such names for double-movie releases “a great part of the narrative.” Michael O’Leary, the president and CEO of Cinema United, said he’s less concerned about the catchy title created when two major movies open on the same day and more excited about how moviegoers respond. “They know that there’s something special going on in the movie theater, and they want to be a part of it,” O’Leary said. He added that watching a film in theaters is “a shared experience that you can’t replicate anywhere else.” “To be looking at the movie theater as the most relevant entertainment option this weekend is huge,” said Dergarabedian.
‘Stitchpossible’ kicks off summer with record box office for Memorial Day weekend
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Disney's 'Lilo & Stitch' and 'Mission: Impossible' Drive Record Memorial Day Weekend Box Office"
CNN
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
The Hollywood box office has experienced a significant resurgence, driven by the release of Disney's live-action remake of 'Lilo & Stitch' and the latest installment in the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise. Over the Memorial Day weekend, these films collectively contributed to an estimated record box office of $325 million. 'Lilo & Stitch' led the charge with an impressive domestic gross of approximately $145.5 million from Friday to Sunday, and it is projected to reach around $160 million for the three-day weekend, potentially surpassing the previous record set by 'Top Gun Maverick' in 2022. Meanwhile, 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' also performed well, earning about $63 million through Sunday and is on track to reach approximately $77 million by the end of the holiday weekend, marking its strongest opening to date in the franchise. Industry analysts have noted that this combination of major releases has revitalized the Memorial Day weekend, which had seen a disappointing $132 million in box office revenue last year.
The success of 'Lilo & Stitch' reflects a broader trend of audiences returning to theaters, a shift that began in April with the releases of 'A Minecraft Movie' and 'Sinners', which together grossed $677.4 million. Analysts believe the summer box office could exceed $4 billion, aligning with 2023's performance. The term 'Stitchpossible' has emerged to describe the phenomenon of simultaneous blockbuster releases, reminiscent of the 'Barbenheimer' trend from 2023. While some experts suggest that this kind of viral marketing may not be replicated, the excitement surrounding the current box office performance indicates a renewed interest in the cinematic experience. Industry leaders emphasize the importance of the shared experience of watching films in theaters, suggesting that the resurgence of box office numbers is a positive sign for the future of the film industry.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the impressive box office performance of Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and the latest "Mission: Impossible" film during the Memorial Day weekend, emphasizing a significant rebound for Hollywood's box office after a sluggish start to 2025. The record earnings reported suggest a revitalization of the film industry, hinting at a potential shift in audience engagement with cinematic releases.
Intent Behind the Article
The piece aims to showcase a positive turnaround in the movie industry, instilling a sense of optimism among audiences and stakeholders. By focusing on record-breaking box office figures, it seeks to highlight the resilience of Hollywood and the increasing willingness of audiences to return to theaters.
Public Perception
This narrative is designed to create enthusiasm around the film industry, portraying it as recovering from previous downturns. The article emphasizes community excitement, suggesting that the combination of beloved franchises can draw crowds back to cinemas.
Potential Omissions
While the article celebrates the box office success, it may downplay the underlying challenges facing the industry, such as competition from streaming services or the long-term impact of changing consumer habits. This focus could divert attention from more substantial issues affecting the industry.
Reliability of the Information
The article appears credible, relying on data from Comscore and quoting industry analysts. However, the positive framing raises questions about whether the full context of the industry's challenges is being presented. This can affect the perceived reliability of the information.
Societal Implications
The reported success at the box office could encourage further investments in film productions, potentially impacting employment in the entertainment sector. A thriving film industry can also boost local economies, particularly in areas with large theaters or production studios.
Target Audience
This article speaks primarily to moviegoers, film industry professionals, and investors. It aims to engage those who have a vested interest in the success of cinematic releases and who enjoy the cultural experience of watching films in theaters.
Market Impact
The news may positively influence stock prices for companies involved in film production and distribution, such as Disney and Paramount. A successful holiday weekend can lead to increased investor confidence in these companies, potentially affecting their market performance.
Global Context
While the article focuses on a specific aspect of the entertainment industry, its implications can resonate globally, especially as trends in film consumption evolve. The success of major franchises can influence international box office strategies and global film distribution.
AI Involvement
It is possible that AI tools were used in drafting or analyzing the data presented in the article, especially in the statistical reporting of box office figures. AI models might have been utilized to streamline the writing process or analyze audience trends, enhancing the article's focus on key metrics.
Manipulation Concerns
There may be an element of manipulation in the framing of the article, emphasizing optimism while potentially glossing over significant challenges. This could be an attempt to rally support for the film industry and encourage more audience engagement, though it risks oversimplifying the complexities involved.
In summary, while the article presents a largely positive view of the current state of the Hollywood box office, it is essential to consider the broader context and potential underlying issues that could affect the industry's future. The excitement generated by the reported successes may not fully capture the challenges that remain.