“Lilo & Stitch” Crushes Tom Cruise at the Box Office with Record-Smashing $145.5M Debut

Hollywood just got a whole lot cuter and a lot richer.

Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch blasted into theaters over the Memorial Day weekend and made history, becoming the biggest Memorial Day opening of all time with a staggering $145.5 million domestic and $341.7M worldwide.

The wildly successful debut not only dethroned the previous record-holder but also left Tom Cruise’s swan song in the dust, proving that America was more than ready for some warm, Hawaiian vibes and a mischievous blue alien to kick off the summer.

The film, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), is a heartfelt, high-energy remake of Disney’s beloved 2002 animated classic. This time around, the story gets the live-action treatment with 7-year-old breakout star Maia Kealoha winning hearts across the country as Lilo Pelekai, a quirky Hawaiian girl with a love of Elvis Presley and an unbreakable bond with her “dog” who just so happens to be a genetic experiment from outer space named Stitch.

Ohana Means Box Office Gold

Disney’s gamble to revisit Lilo & Stitch, a franchise once considered a mid-tier cult gem, has paid off handsomely. The film tapped into millennial nostalgia while captivating a whole new generation of moviegoers, leading to packed theaters across the U.S. and Canada. Industry estimates put the long weekend’s total box office earnings at a record-breaking $325 million, obliterating the previous Memorial Day record of $306 million set in 2013, led by Fast & Furious 6 and The Hangover Part III.

Lilo & Stitch is more than a hit. It’s a cultural moment. The film’s stunning visual effects, heart-melting performances, and an updated yet faithful script resonated with families, critics, and Disney fans alike. Early audience scores are soaring, with CinemaScore giving the film an enthusiastic A+, and Rotten Tomatoes audience approval hovering in the high 90s.

Tom Cruise Falls Second in Final Mission

Despite being Cruise’s eighth and final appearance as super-spy Ethan Hunt, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning only managed to secure a second-place finish, bringing in a still-impressive but distant $63 million. While the film marks a new high for the Mission: Impossible franchise by beating 2018’s Fallout ($61.2 million), it couldn’t outrun the Stitch-sized shadow looming over its debut.

Paramount may not be celebrating the gold, but there is a silver lining in the franchise’s best-ever opening. And with glowing reviews and international rollout still ahead, the film may have legs well into the summer.

Box Office Breakdown: Family Flicks Dominate

Coming in third was last weekend’s chart-topper, horror-thriller Final Destination: Bloodlines, which managed a solid $19.6 million in its sophomore weekend. The film has drawn a strong Gen Z following thanks to TikTok buzz and its brutal, creative kills that are classic Final Destination.

Superhero ensemble flick Thunderbolts continued its slow descent in its fourth weekend with $9.1 million, followed closely by indie drama darling Sinners, which notched another $8.7 million in its impressive sixth week.

The rest of the top 10 played like a genre buffet:

• 6. The Last Rodeo: $5.2 million
• 7. Friendship: $4.5 million
• 8. A Minecraft Movie: $2.2 million
• 9. The Accountant 2: $1.9 million
• 10. Hurry Up Tomorrow: $740,000

A New Era for Disney and the Box Office

Disney’s dominance this weekend signals not just a return to form but perhaps the beginning of a bold new era. With Lilo & Stitch, the studio has proven that live-action remakes can be more than cash-grabs. They can be emotionally rich, beautifully cast, and box office juggernauts.

And let’s not forget the film’s leading lady: Maia Kealoha. At just 7 years old, she’s not only captured the nation’s heart but also launched herself into instant stardom. Kealoha’s magnetic performance has already sparked awards season buzz and turned her into one of the most in-demand young talents in Hollywood.

As for Stitch, let’s just say the galaxy’s most lovable troublemaker is back and he’s never looked better.

Celebrating record-breakers and ohana energy, this is one Memorial Day weekend Hollywood won’t forget.