Two blockbuster hits break Memorial Day box office records as cinema fights back from collapse.
The U.S. and Canadian box office saw an unprecedented surge over the Memorial Day weekend, as Walt Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch and Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning pulled audiences back into cinemas and set a new record for ticket sales.
From Friday through Monday, ticket receipts for the top ten films totalled an astounding $326.7 million, surpassing the previous holiday weekend record of $314.3 million set in 2013 when the sixth Fast & Furious film was released. This milestone offers a rare bright spot in an industry still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood strikes in 2023, and fierce competition from streaming platforms.
The family-friendly Lilo & Stitch remake breathed new life into the beloved 2002 animated story. It centres on a mischievous blue alien adopted by two sisters in Hawaii, drawing in a broad family audience. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise returned with high-octane thrills in the eighth installment of the Mission: Impossible series. Marketed as Cruise’s final portrayal of Ethan Hunt, the film’s death-defying stunts drew action fans eager to witness the end of an era.
Box office analysts noted that the success of these two very different films indicates that moviegoing remains deeply embedded in popular culture. Shawn Robbins, director of movie analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory, emphasised that the films’ appeal to distinct audiences generated significant momentum. “Two major studios put out two very different films for very different audiences, and they yet again proved moviegoing is still an important piece of the fabric of pop culture,” Robbins said.
Contributing further to the weekend’s impressive earnings were earlier hits still playing strong. Warner Bros’ Minecraft Movie, based on the viral video game, has now grossed $940.6 million worldwide since its early April release. The horror film Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, added to its tally, reaching $339 million globally.
Despite this positive trend, the industry remains below pre-pandemic levels. Year-to-date ticket sales in the U.S. and Canada reached $3.1 billion, marking a 22% increase over the same period in 2023 but still trailing 2019’s figures by 28%. For comparison, May 2019 saw the blockbuster Avengers: Endgame dominate the box office charts.
International markets mirrored the domestic enthusiasm. Lilo & Stitch generated $158.7 million abroad, lifting its global total to $314.7 million. Paramount’s Mission: Impossible grossed $205.5 million worldwide, with $127 million coming from international audiences outside North America.
Industry insiders are hopeful the renewed excitement will carry through the traditionally busy summer season. Upcoming releases set to attract cinema-goers include a new Superman film, a live-action remake of the animated How to Train Your Dragon, and F1, starring Brad Pitt as a Formula 1 driver.As Hollywood cautiously recovers from recent setbacks, the triumph of Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible signals a possible renaissance for theatres. While streaming remains a formidable challenger, these blockbusters demonstrate that the magic of the big screen still captivates millions, proving cinema’s enduring allure.
