"Karate Kid Legends" Kicks Off Okay, But Can It Beat "Lilo & Stitch's" Box Office Domination?

'Lilo & Stitch' Still Reigns Supreme, While 'Karate Kid: Legends' Lands a Decent, Though Not Knockout, Opening

The summer box office continues to deliver, with a mix of returning champions and new contenders vying for audience attention. This week, Disney's live-action remake of 'Lilo & Stitch' maintained its dominance, proving its staying power after a massive opening weekend. Meanwhile, 'Karate Kid: Legends' marked the return of a beloved franchise, though its debut fell slightly short of expectations.

'Lilo & Stitch' Continues Its Box Office Reign

The heartwarming tale of Ohana continues to resonate with audiences. 'Lilo & Stitch' raked in an impressive $63 million in its second weekend, holding the top spot for the second consecutive week. This brings its domestic total to a staggering $280 million and a global haul of $610 million. A 57% drop from its opening weekend indicates strong legs for the film, suggesting it will continue to be a family favorite throughout the summer.

'Karate Kid: Legends' Opens Respectably, But Below Projections

Sony's 'Karate Kid: Legends' made its debut with $21 million, securing the third-place spot. While a decent start, it landed somewhat below the projected $25 million. Despite positive audience reactions (an "A-" CinemaScore), the film didn't quite achieve breakout success beyond the core 'Karate Kid' fanbase. However, with a relatively modest $45 million production budget, the film is still positioned for potential profitability.

Key Highlights for 'Karate Kid: Legends':

• Marks the franchise's first theatrical installment in 15 years.
• Unites Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, bridging the gap between different generations of 'Karate Kid' fans.
• Follows the popular streaming series 'Cobra Kai', capitalizing on the renewed interest in the franchise.

Other Box Office Highlights:

• 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' added $27.3 million in its second weekend, bringing its domestic total to $122.6 million. However, with a massive $400 million budget, the film needs continued strong performance to recoup its investment.
• A24's horror film 'Bring Her Back' debuted in fifth place with $7 million. This follows the success of the Philippou brothers' previous horror hit, 'Talk to Me'.
• Wes Anderson’s 'The Phoenician Scheme' opened in limited release with an impressive $95,000 per-screen average, indicating strong critical acclaim and audience interest.

Summer Box Office Boom:

Overall, the summer box office is experiencing a surge, with revenues up 25.5% compared to last year. This positive trend is attributed to a string of successful releases that began in April. However, experts caution that this momentum is fragile and relies on a steady stream of strong releases. Upcoming blockbusters like 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' 'F1,' 'Fantastic Four: The First Steps,' and 'Superman' will be crucial in maintaining this upward trajectory.

The box office is dynamic, and the summer season is far from over. While some films exceed expectations and others fall short, the industry remains optimistic about the continued growth and excitement at the cinemas.

Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/lilo-stitch-box-office-champion-karate-kid-legends-opening-1236415221/