Saturday proved to be a beneficial day for many films in the top 10, with significant increases over Friday's earnings. Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning saw remarkable rises of 51% and 55%, respectively. Lilo & Stitch is projected to earn a staggering $63 million in its second weekend, while Mission: Impossible 8 is expected to bring in $27.3 million.
The success of Lilo & Stitch has Disney executives celebrating at their Burbank lot, as the film propels the studio past the impressive $1 billion mark at the domestic box office, capturing a 30% market share. Disney has set a record as the first studio to reach this milestone year-to-date, marking a remarkable 20 consecutive years of grossing over $1 billion domestically since 2005, excluding 2020.
On the other hand, Sony's Karate Kid: Legends is reported to be opening lower than anticipated, with estimates around $21 million, while others suggest it could fall below $20 million, possibly in the $19 million range. The film garnered $7.3 million on Saturday, reflecting a 5% drop from Friday’s earnings, which included $7.7 million from previews. By excluding the preview earnings, Saturday’s performance was up 35%.
Originally forecasted to earn approximately $35 million, the film's tracking has seen a significant decline to the mid-$20 million range before this weekend. The underwhelming performance raises questions about the lack of urgency among audiences to see this latest installment. The Cobra Kai effect on the Karate Kid franchise may be influencing viewers, as many fans of the series are conditioned to enjoy the content from the comfort of their homes.
Furthermore, negative social media chatter has emerged regarding Karate Kid: Legends, as potential viewers express concerns about the film not living up to the legacy of its predecessors. Comments highlight the repetitive nature of the story and a general apprehension about the film. Although the projected revenue is below expectations, the film is expected to remain somewhat profitable with a production budget of $45 million.
In other box office news, A24’s Bring Her Back has opened to positive reviews, achieving a B+ CinemaScore and an impressive 80% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This original film has garnered a significant amount of critical acclaim, with a 90% certified fresh rating. The film earned around $7 million during its opening weekend, slightly below expectations but still respectable within the independent film sector.
Despite the slightly lower opening compared to previous A24 films like Talk to Me, which opened at $10.4 million, Bring Her Back has been praised for its quality. The film is particularly resonating with audiences in the East and West coasts, with AMC Burbank leading the box office for this title.
Overall, this weekend saw an estimated total box office gross of approximately $151 million, reflecting a remarkable 130% increase from the same weekend last year. Lilo & Stitch alone accounted for a significant portion of this revenue, as its second-weekend earnings of $63 million represent 95% of what most films grossed a year ago.
Here are the weekend's top movies and their respective earnings:
Lilo & Stitch (Disney) - $63 millionMission: Impossible – Final Reckoning (Paramount) - $27.3 millionKarate Kid: Legends (Sony) - $21 millionFinal Destination: Bloodlines (New Line) - $10.8 millionBring Her Back (A24) - $7 millionThis weekend's box office performance highlights the ongoing recovery of the film industry post-pandemic, with audiences returning to theaters and enjoying a diverse range of films.
