The latest weekend box office figures have been released, revealing a record-breaking performance that showcases the strength of the film industry. This year’s Memorial Day weekend has achieved an unprecedented milestone, generating a staggering $322 million in gross revenue, according to Deadline. This marks the highest earnings ever recorded for this holiday weekend. In contrast, last year’s performance saw George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga struggle significantly, managing only $26 million upon its release. Disney has also made waves with their highly anticipated Lilo & Stitch remake, which unexpectedly grossed $145.5 million. This figure not only aligns closely with our earlier predictions of $140 million but also establishes it as the highest Memorial Day opener in history, surpassing the $126 million earned by Top Gun: Maverick. As the weekend concludes, we anticipate even higher numbers when the comprehensive four-day totals are reported.
This phenomenal outcome signifies a major win for Disney, especially considering their mixed results earlier this year. Both Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts fell short of the blockbuster expectations typically associated with Marvel films. Furthermore, Disney faced a significant setback with Snow White, which is likely to be remembered as the year’s most considerable box office disappointment. The contrasting performances highlight the unpredictable nature of the film industry and the varying levels of audience engagement with different franchises.
Meanwhile, Tom Cruise has once again made headlines with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which achieved a franchise-best gross of $63 million. This figure exceeds the previous record set by Mission: Impossible – Fallout, which earned $61 million. However, when adjusted for inflation, the success appears less remarkable; the $57 million gross from Mission: Impossible 2 would translate to well over $100 million in today’s market. Nevertheless, this weekend’s earnings are an improvement over the $54 million debut of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning from two years ago. Ultimately, whether the film achieves profitability will depend heavily on its international performance, as this franchise has consistently demonstrated stronger appeal abroad.
Final Destination: Bloodlines enjoyed a remarkable opening weekend, although it experienced a 62% drop in revenue—a relatively modest decline for a horror film—bringing in just under $20 million this weekend. Its total domestic gross stands at an impressive $89.7 million, and it is projected to surpass the $100 million mark by next week, solidifying its status as a significant success for Warner Bros and New Line. In fourth place, Thunderbolts from Marvel has earned $9.16 million this weekend, accumulating a total of $171 million domestically. However, it appears unlikely that it will reach the $200 million milestone that Brave New World achieved. Additionally, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners continues to perform well, earning $8.75 million and pushing its total gross past the $260 million mark. Speculation arises as to whether it will eventually cross the coveted $300 million threshold.
Angel Studios has seen moderate success with The Last Rodeo, which garnered $5.26 million—a typical performance for a faith-based film. This figure is fairly close to the $6 million that their previous film, Homestead, earned during its opening weekend. Additionally, A24 released Friendship, featuring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson, which collected $4.59 million in its semi-wide release across 1,000 screens. This film is poised to become a modest indie success for the studio. Furthermore, WB’s A Minecraft Movie continues to thrive, adding another $2.2 million to its box office tally, thereby crossing the $420 million mark. Meanwhile, Ben Affleck’s The Accountant 2 is nearing the end of its theatrical run, earning $1.9 million this weekend for a total of $62 million, falling short of the original film’s gross of $66 million.
In stark contrast, Hurry Up Tomorrow, a much-criticized vanity project from The Weeknd, experienced a dramatic decline, losing 78% of its audience and generating only $740k this weekend, resulting in a dismal 1 per-screen average. This sharp drop illustrates the challenges faced by even high-profile projects in the competitive landscape of the film industry.
Stay tuned as we return tomorrow for the complete Memorial Day box office analysis, including insights and reflections on this historic weekend!
