By Michaela Gordoni
LILO & STITCH won families over on Memorial Day weekend, raking in $183 million at the domestic box office.
That’s more than any other movie has ever made on Memorial Day Weekend in the U.S. It’s also the second-largest opening for any four-weekend. BLACK PANTHER still holds the title for the largest opening ever, Wow News Today reported.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING came in second place at $77 million. Other movies — FINAL DESTINATION: BLOOD LINES, THUNDERBOLTS* and more — fall drastically below that with under $24 million.
“Millions of moviegoers this holiday weekend proved once again that going to the cinema is a true American pastime,” said Cinema United President & CEO Michael O’Leary. “Records aside, it’s clear that movie theaters are cultural and economic hubs in cities and towns of all sizes, uniting communities across the country in the singular thrill of seeing a movie on the big screen. This weekend is just the start of what will be a great summer for movie fans around the world.”
LILO & STITCH’s wild success is an indication of what cinemagoers want to see — movies that they can watch the whole family.
This year, over 2,000 movie theaters released nine PG-rated movies, which is up from just six during the same period last year. Many more PG movies, like HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (live-action) and ZOOTOPIA 2, will release this year.
Related: LILO & STITCH Actress Shares Favorite Movie Moments in Adorable Interview
Part of Movieguide®’s review of LILO & STITCH, rated +1, reads: “The live action LILO & STITCH is lots of fun, with touching moments of rescue and redemption. Sometimes, however, the comical action is awkwardly shot. Eventually, Lilo’s love and devotion change Stitch’s heart, allowing him to feel love and want to be part of her family. Lilo won’t quit loving Stitch no matter how much trouble he causes.”
Movieguide®’s review of THE FINAL RECKONING, rated -1, says, “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE — THE FINAL RECKONING is an exhilarating, patriotic, stirring, and profound thriller,” and advises caution for older children, teens and adults, due to moderate violence and light language, sex and nudity.
Another family movie in theaters right now is THE LAST RODEO, with Neal McDonough. He stars as a retired rodeo champ who quit after he broke his neck. The only thing that could make him get back in the ring is his grandson — who needs money for an emergency brain surgery.
Part of Movieguide®’s review reads, “THE LAST RODEO is a wonderful movie with a great cast and many emotional, heartfelt moments. Furthermore, the ending is great…Best of all, THE LAST RODEO has a strong Christian, biblical worldview.”
This weekend once again proves that family-friendly movies are the key to Hollywood’s success.
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