The buffoonish little blue trickster is still holding families together post-Memorial Day, as it’s a remake they like and want to see more of, unlike Snow White!
Lilo & Stitch retained the top mountain spot with $63 million in its second weekend (-57% drop). Fun fact: that is directly on par with The Little Mermaid (-57% drop in its second weekend after a $96 million debut) and Alice Through The Looking Glass (-57% drop in second weekend after a $27 million debut). With it blossoming past $600 million on its second weekend, Disney will most likely get that first $1 billion feature of the year (that isn’t Ne Zha 2) and its latest since, checks notes, Moana 2 in last year’s winter season. It should be passing $300 million domestically sometime by Tuesday/Wednesday as more kids get out of the school season, and more incentive to band together in this particular demographic. Regarding other post Memorial Day features, it’s holding up better than Fast & Furious 6 and the two X-Men films released on Memorial Day.
In second place, the impossible nature of being yet understood by Tom Cruise’s antics kept Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning in with $27.3 million (-57%). Yes, it’s a better hold than all the previous M:I movies, but noticeably (and understandably) lower than the 2nd weekend in comparison with Top Gun: Maverick. Already passing $350 million globally, it will take a lot of juice to even think about getting a break-even point (China isn’t bailing it out this time either, same as the predecessor). $650 million looks much more like the case, and yes, it’s not getting dismantled by a pop-culture euphoria (think Barbenheimer). However, tough competition with Disney’s remake, the incoming John Wick spinoff, Sinners still holding its place (past $350 million worldwide as well), and the return of nostalgia with a renowned karate IP have put the bow(?) on the thriller into a predicament. Tom Cruise is a bona fide star, but his swan song will need much help elsewhere to be deemed a “profitable” success.
Speaking of the Karate IP, the universe that brought you the infamous Karate Kid films and (excellent) Cobra Kai series has brought you a legacy sequel, Karate Kid: Legends. Yes, this is a legacy sequel to the four Pat Morita-led Karate Kid films and a retroactive sequel to the 2010 remake (despite Jaden Smith in the void). Still, the remake earned $55 million in its debut to expand to $359 million globally, so a $21 million start for the sixth installment is a much lower kick. To be fair, fifteen years ago, Jaden Smith offered kid-friendly value, and Jackie Chan was a much more coveted movie star (than a discount Mr. Miyagi) that stood out in a lackadaisical summer of other remakes.
This time, folks were probably drained after witnessing a solid closure of six seasons (over seven years) of the Netflix series that brought a well-rounded end to the Miyagi-Do Karate/Cobra Kai story. Coupled with mixed reviews and no connections to the spinoff series, this is in the same boat as folks tuning out of Suits LA when they only genuinely enjoyed Suits. Did it not have enough of Chan and Ralph Macchio this time around? Depends on who you ask, but Sony didn’t return to this playground for this film to have an issue with breaking even. Maybe it’s a sign we don’t need a Karate Kid Part 7 feature. Let’s see if Ballerina doesn’t fall into the same trap next weekend.
Final Destination: Bloodlines will be the highest-earning film of the series imminently (it has earned $112 million domestic and $230 million worldwide). Newcomer Bring Her Back earned $7.08 million in its debut. Sinners has passed $350 million worldwide and will probably be around $290 million domestically once it wraps up. Thunderbolts* is inching towards $400 million globally, even if it feels far-fetched (unless it can hold out for First Steps to resurge it, which is unlikely). And Friendship has earned $12.3 million domestically.
Next weekend sees the release of Ballerina, The Life of Chuck, The Ritual, and I Don’t Understand You.
