"Lilo & Stitch" Beats Out Tom Cruise's "Mission Impossible"

"Lilo & Stitch" Beats Out Tom Cruise's "Mission Impossible"

While the live action remake of Disney's "Snow White" starring Rachel Zegler was largely a box office disappointment, Disney just scored big over the Memorial Day weekend with its live action remake of the 2002 animated film, "Lilo & Stitch". As the Elvis Presley music loving Lilo stomped Tom Cruise's eighth installment in the "Mission Impossible" franchise by grossing $183 million domestically and $341.7 million globally. Making "Lilo & Stitch" the biggest Memorial Day weekend movie opener of all time, before adjusting for inflation. With the previous Memorial Day blockbuster being Tom Cruise's "Top Gun: Maverick".

Once considered box office gold, Tom Cruise was unable to match or exceed his previous movie's record. As "Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning" only reaped $77 million domestically, less than half of what the children's movie, "Lilo & Stitch" earned domestically. While theories abound as to how "Lilo & Stitch" beat out the impossible, one primary theory holds that it was considered a more family-friendly movie for families to go see over the three-day weekend. With another theory holding that it also might just be that Elvis Presley is still the king of rock and roll. After all, Stitch from "Lilo & Stitch" did stop by Graceland prior to the movie's release.

The plot of "Lilo & Stitch" centers around the young Hawaiian girl, Lilo, who adopts Stitch from the animal shelter, little knowing that instead of a dog, Stitch is a genetic miscreant from another planet. While genetically modified to be an aggressive creature, Stitch, after causing much mayhem, develops affection for Lilo. And this newfound empathy of his leads him to risk his own life to save Lilo. Lilo, then, in turn, is allowed to keep Stitch on earth after Stitch's change of heart is noted by the Grand Councilwoman.

Similarly, the plot of the action spy film, "Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning", has a science fiction element to it as well. With the plot focusing on Ethan Hunt, as portrayed by Tom Cruise, and his Impossible Mission Force agents as they race against time to find the rogue malevolent artificial intelligence, Entity, that has the capability to destroy mankind. Nevertheless, despite the futuristic elements in both films, audiences overwhelming opted for "Lilo & Stitch" over "Mission Impossible". With some of the Elvis Presley songs that are featured in "Lilo & Stitch" being "Stuck on You", "Suspicious Minds", "Heartbreak Hotel", "You're the Devil in Disguise", and the classic "Hound Dog".

Luisa Reyes is an attorney in Tuscaloosa with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Judson, a master's degree in library science, and a law degree from Samford's Cumberland School of Law. She is also a piano instructor and vocalist.