Disney and Paramount have ushered in a record-breaking weekend at the global box office, thanks to the powerhouse premieres of Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
Both films have emerged as early titans of the 2025 cinematic calendar, drawing in hundreds of millions in ticket sales and sparking fervent debate among critics and fans alike.
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, a live-action reimagining of the beloved 2002 animated classic, stunned industry analysts by raking in a staggering $341 million worldwide in its opening weekend.
The film’s debut now holds the record for the biggest Memorial Day weekend opening in U.S. history and secures the second-highest opening of the year, just behind A Minecraft Movie, according to Variety.
Meanwhile, Tom Cruise returned to the big screen as Ethan Hunt in what’s been billed as his final mission in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
The high-octane thriller didn’t disappoint at the box office either, grossing $190 million globally. Cruise, who has played the iconic IMF agent since 1996, appeared to confirm the franchise’s end in a heartfelt statement to The Hollywood Reporter: “It’s the final! It’s not called ‘final’ for nothing.”
His words sent waves through Hollywood, marking the end of an era that has spanned nearly three decades.
Yet, speculation still lingers about whether this really is the curtain call. Given the franchise’s success and Cruise’s enduring appeal, many fans remain skeptical.
Critics have been divided on both films. The Guardian lauded Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning as “a wildly entertaining adventure,” giving it a glowing five-star review.
Vanity Fair echoed the sentiment, praising it as “a worthy send-off” for one of cinema’s most enduring action heroes. However, not all reviews were as generous.
The Hollywood Reporter labeled it “a disappointing farewell,” while Mashable took a swipe at the finale’s tone, warning it risked ending with “the fizzled whimper of a message self-destructing in a tape deck.”
The polarized reception has only added to the intrigue surrounding whether or not Cruise might eventually return.
On the other hand, Lilo & Stitch marks the latest entry in Disney’s ongoing campaign of live-action remakes, joining the ranks of The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017), which remain the top two performers in this category.
With its $341 million launch, Lilo & Stitch claims the third spot for best box office debuts in Disney’s live-action canon.
The film features Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, and eight-year-old newcomer Maia Kealoha, who stars as Lilo, the spirited young girl who forms an unlikely bond with Stitch, a mischievous alien fugitive brought to life through computer-generated wizardry.
Despite its commercial triumph, Lilo & Stitch has also faced mixed reviews from critics. The Daily Beast praised the film as “jovial, zany, and sweet,” highlighting its vibrant energy and emotional core.
However, The Times was far less forgiving, calling it a “mind-numbing abomination” that fails to recapture the charm of the original animation.
The stark contrast in reception underscores the ongoing debate over Disney’s strategy of remaking animated favorites, with some audiences embracing the nostalgia and others questioning the creative merit of rehashing old tales.
In interviews leading up to the release, Disney producers defended the decision to revisit Lilo & Stitch, saying the film aimed to “introduce a new generation to the spirit of Ohana—family, and belonging.”
Director Dean Fleischer Camp, best known for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, said, “It was important for us to maintain the heart of the original while creating a visual experience that felt new and magical.”
For many viewers, the film’s Hawaiian setting and endearing characters have proven to be a winning formula, even if the storytelling has sparked debate.
Together, the box office success of Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning paints a promising picture for the film industry in 2025.
Audiences appear eager to return to theaters for both nostalgic reboots and adrenaline-pumping franchises, suggesting that the appetite for both familiarity and spectacle remains strong.
As summer begins, Hollywood will be watching closely to see if any upcoming releases can match or surpass these two titans.
As Tom Cruise basks in the potential swan song of his action legacy, and Disney celebrates yet another live-action windfall, the conversation now turns to what comes next.
Will Cruise be lured back for another mission by fan demand or studio pressure? Will Disney continue its streak of remakes despite polarizing feedback?
While neither question has a clear answer, what’s certain is that moviegoers still crave big-screen stories that pack both emotional and visual punch.
In a season where original ideas and long-standing franchises collide, Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning have proven that there’s still room for bold releases to make a massive impact—both financially and culturally.
Whether they’re reimagining a child’s bond with a blue alien or sending a secret agent on one last mission, studios are finding that when done right, audiences will always show up.
