The global box office just experienced one of its biggest weekends of 2025, with the debut of Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch and the latest installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise, The Final Reckoning. These two major releases lit up international markets, setting records and exceeding projections.
Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Hits \$56.3M in First 3 Days Overseas
Disney’s long-awaited live-action adaptation of the 2002 animated classic, Lilo & Stitch, made a powerful start in its international rollout. Playing in 50 key overseas markets, the film grossed \$56.3 million in just its first three days. That strong start contributed to a global opening total of \$111.3 million, combining international and domestic figures.
This performance exceeded industry expectations, signaling a strong appetite for nostalgic, family-friendly content. Despite launching during a period with no major offshore holidays, the film still managed to deliver record-setting opening days in:
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Spain
This is a clear indicator of Lilo & Stitch’s enduring appeal across cultures and age groups.
A Global Success Without Holiday Boosts
What makes Lilo & Stitch’s opening weekend particularly impressive is that it achieved these numbers without the benefit of local holidays, which usually bolster family film attendance. This makes its performance in European and Latin American markets especially notable, as it suggests word-of-mouth and brand recognition are driving ticket sales.
The film’s marketing campaign, which leaned heavily into the nostalgia factor while showcasing the vibrant new CGI-rendered Stitch and the scenic Hawaiian setting, seems to have struck the right chord with audiences.
Disney’s Live-Action Strategy Still Paying Off
Despite growing debates around the creative merits of live-action remakes, Disney continues to see massive returns. With Lilo & Stitch, the studio proves again that reimagining classic IPs with modern visuals and storytelling tweaks can still generate strong international box office results.
Much like previous live-action adaptations such as The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, Lilo & Stitch benefits from an already-built fan base, now expanded to new generations who may be discovering the characters for the first time.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Outpaces Predecessor
Not to be overshadowed, Paramount and Skydance’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning also had a high-octane launch this weekend. The film is reportedly outpacing the international performance of its predecessor, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (M\:I 7).
While official numbers are still being finalized, early data indicates The Final Reckoning is seeing higher ticket sales and better per-screen averages than M\:I 7 across multiple territories.
Key markets showing strong performance include:
- UK
- South Korea
- Australia
- United Arab Emirates
- India
With the franchise known for its elaborate stunts and globe-trotting espionage, the latest entry is being praised for tighter pacing, more grounded storytelling, and Tom Cruise’s relentless energy as IMF agent Ethan Hunt.
A Franchise That Keeps Delivering
Despite being the eighth film in a nearly 30-year-old series, Mission: Impossible shows no signs of slowing down. The franchise has carved out a unique space for itself as the gold standard for action filmmaking, and each new installment brings with it an event-like anticipation.
With Cruise’s dedication to real stunts and practical effects—a major marketing point—The Final Reckoning is delivering exactly what global audiences crave: immersive, edge-of-your-seat action.
Summer Box Office Heats Up
The combined strength of Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is providing a major boost to the summer box office, which had been off to a slower start compared to previous years. This signals a strong rebound in global movie-going habits, particularly in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
These releases arrive at a time when studios are relying more on tentpole IP-driven films to bring audiences back to cinemas, and the results so far are encouraging.
What This Means for Hollywood
The international success of Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible is more than just a weekend headline—it’s a confirmation of two major trends:
- The Power of Nostalgia and IP: Audiences continue to show up for reimaginings of beloved properties, provided they are executed with care and visual innovation.
- Franchise Durability: Well-established franchises like Mission: Impossible can thrive even after multiple sequels when they continue to evolve and deliver high-quality storytelling.
For studios, these results will likely lead to further investment in both legacy franchises and live-action adaptations. Expect more announcements and greenlights in the months ahead as Hollywood leans into what’s working.
Final Thoughts
Both Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning are delivering strong international results that point to the resilience of cinema as a global medium. Whether it’s the warmth of a family-friendly alien story or the thrill of an impossible mission, audiences are showing that they’re ready to return to theaters for the right kind of movie magic.
As we move deeper into the summer blockbuster season, all eyes will be on how these films continue to perform—and whether they can sustain momentum in the face of upcoming competition.
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