LOS ANGELES — Karate Kid: Legends is poised for a solid debut at the box office, with early projections estimating a $25 million opening weekend. The Sony Pictures release reunites Jackie Chan, star of the 2010 Karate Kid reboot, with Ralph Macchio, the original face of the franchise dating back to 1984.
The film is expected to benefit from long-running fan nostalgia and renewed interest thanks to the success of Cobra Kai, the popular Netflix spinoff series. Industry analysts suggest the film could climb as high as $30 million if turnout from loyal fans exceeds expectations.
Produced on a modest $45 million budget, even conservative earnings would mark a strong start for the sequel. Still, Karate Kid: Legends is unlikely to claim the top spot at the box office. That honor will once again go to Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, which dominated the Memorial Day holiday with a $182.6 million debut.
In its second weekend, Lilo & Stitch is expected to earn over $60 million, pushing its global haul past $400 million by Thursday. Originally developed for Disney+, the animated film has emerged as one of the year’s biggest theatrical hits, especially impressive given its $100 million production cost.
Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning remains a strong competitor. The Tom Cruise-led action sequel is projected to add over $30 million in its second weekend, after launching with $79 million. The film’s global total is nearing $300 million, but with a hefty $400 million budget, profitability remains a challenge.
A24’s Bring Her Back, the weekend’s other new wide release, is targeting a $6 million debut. The Australian supernatural thriller, starring Sally Hawkins, has been well received by critics, earning a 90% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The genre’s popularity could help the film outperform initial expectations.
On the limited release front, Focus Features is rolling out Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme. The film, known for its signature style and ensemble cast—including Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, and Benedict Cumberbatch—marks another whimsical entry in Anderson’s acclaimed filmography.
Overall, the box office continues to show strong momentum after a record-setting Memorial Day weekend. Hits like Lilo & Stitch, A Minecraft Movie, and Sinners have helped rejuvenate theater attendance following a turbulent period marked by industry strikes and pandemic disruptions.
As the summer movie season kicks into high gear, Karate Kid: Legends may help sustain the upswing — crane kick and all.
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