Over Memorial Day weekend, viewers opted to watch their last “Mission” – specifically, Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” which marks the eighth and final film in the Tom Cruise-led series. This blockbuster faced competition from Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch.” The combined box office earnings over Memorial Day weekend set a record, with “Stitch” securing the top spot against “M:I 8” domestically, earning $192.7 million in the U.S. and an additional $168.6 million internationally for a global total of $361.3 million. Meanwhile, “The Final Reckoning” had a strong start, grossing a record-breaking $79 million domestically and another $112 million overseas, giving it a worldwide debut of $191 million at the box office.
25 years ago, I was captivated by the explosive action of “Mission: Impossible II,” directed by John Woo. This iconic film, which marked a significant milestone for Ethan Hunt’s IMF Agent journey, shattered records when it opened on Memorial Day in May 2000. The staggering four-day earnings of $71.8 million and six-day earnings of $92.8 million elevated the entire Memorial Day box office to an unprecedented high. This record-breaking weekend was bolstered by blockbusters like “Dinosaur,” “Shanghai Noon,” “Gladiator,” and “Road Trip.” Truly, it was a memorable time for cinema!
In a historic event, the much-anticipated sequel to Top Gun, titled Top Gun: Maverick, soared through cinemas during Memorial Day weekend in 2022, amassing a staggering $160.5 million domestically over four days. This impressive opening broke all previous records for Memorial Day openings, surpassing the likes of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) in terms of box office earnings. However, this record was later broken by Lilo & Stitch.
2025’s Memorial Day weekend smashed past the $306 million haul from 2013, which was headed by blockbusters like Fast & Furious 6 and The Hangover Part III. Back then, movies like Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness, The Great Gatsby, and The Croods were among the hits that boosted overall earnings significantly. (As a fan, I can’t wait to see what next Memorial Day will bring!)
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the latest installment in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, “Final Reckoning,” has made a staggering $79 million on its opening weekend. This impressive figure not only secures it as the 17th-largest Memorial Day opener but also sets a new record for the best opening for this nearly 30-year-old series, outshining “Mission: Impossible II” (which previously held the title with $71.8 million). Interestingly, the original “Mission: Impossible,” released on May 22, 1996, stands at number 26 with a solid opening of $56.8 million. The competition is fierce, but it seems like the “Mission: Impossible” series is only getting stronger!
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In this latest installment, “The Final Reckoning,” Tom Cruise joins forces with veteran cast members Ving Rhames as Luther and Simon Pegg as Benji. The new film also introduces a fresh crew consisting of Hayley Atwell as Grace, Pom Klementieff as Paris, Esai Morales as Gabriel, Shea Whigham as Briggs, and Greg Tarzan Davis as Degas. Notably, “The Final Reckoning” boasts the biggest opening in the entire “Mission: Impossible” series to date.
2018’s “Fallout” movie had the biggest opening weekend (earning $61.2 million), surpassed only by a few other blockbusters such as 2000’s “M:I 2”, 2015’s “Rogue Nation” ($55.5m), and 2023’s “Dead Reckoning” ($54.6m). Notably, it opened during the same time as “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie”. The list includes other movies like 2006’s “Mission: Impossible III” ($47.7m), 1996’s “Mission: Impossible” ($45.4m), and 2011’s “Ghost Protocol” ($12.7m). The latter, initially released in limited screenings, eventually became the second highest-grossing movie in the franchise with $694.7 million. Despite being followed by other entries like “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie”, “Fallout” continues to hold the record as the highest-grossing installment at $786.6 million, with Tom Cruise facing off against a mustachioed Henry Cavill as the villain.
As a devoted moviegoer, I’m thrilled to share that the latest installment in the Mission: Impossible series, aptly titled “Mission: Impossible 8,” is now gracing the big screen exclusively! This action-packed spectacle brings along an impressive ensemble cast including Mariela Garriga, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Tramell Tillman, Charles Parnell, Mark Gatiss, Rolf Saxon, and Lucy Tulugarjuk. Notably, Angela Bassett and Henry Czerny reprise their roles, with the latter returning as Kittridge. Don’t miss out on this heart-stopping adventure, only in theaters!
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2025-05-27 23:46