LOS ANGELES – Despite the nostalgic appeal of returning stars Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, Karate Kid: Legends is struggling to make a strong first impression at the domestic box office. The martial arts reboot opened below expectations, outpaced by Disney’s blockbuster Lilo & Stitch and Tom Cruise’s latest action-packed farewell in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.
Box Office Showdown: Disney Dominates While Sony Misses the Mark
Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch continues to lead the box office with authority. Following a record-shattering $183 million domestic debut over Memorial Day weekend, the film is expected to bring in over $60 million in its second weekend—one of the strongest sophomore performances ever for a Disney reimagining. By Sunday, Lilo & Stitch is projected to reach a staggering $280 million in North America alone.
Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, the last chapter in the Ethan Hunt saga, holds firm in second place with an estimated $28 million haul this weekend. It surpassed the $100 million domestic milestone just eight days after release, reinforcing its status as a summer tentpole hit.
Karate Kid: Legends Falls Short of Expectations
Sony’s Karate Kid: Legends, which reunites franchise veterans Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, was forecasted to open in the $25 million range. However, revised estimates now suggest a third-place debut in the $21 million to $23 million range—with some competing studios projecting figures closer to $19 million.
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| NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 27: Jackie Chan attends the "Karate Kid: Legends" Premiere at SVA Theater on May 27, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images) |
Tracking data had initially pointed to a stronger opening three weeks ago, with early projections as high as $35 million. The recent dip in momentum reflects both audience fatigue from the franchise and the stiff competition posed by the ongoing box office dominance of Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible.
Critical Reception and Audience Feedback Mixed
While Karate Kid: Legends earned a solid A- CinemaScore and generally favorable audience exit polls, critics have been notably divided. The film introduces Ben Wang in the lead role, mentored by both Macchio’s and Chan’s characters in a narrative that bridges the classic 1984 original with the 2010 reboot.
Sony’s budget-conscious production approach—reportedly $45 million before marketing—might help mitigate financial risk, but the lukewarm critical reception and franchise fatigue pose long-term challenges for its theatrical run.
Nostalgia May Be Losing Its Grip
Analysts suggest that long-time Karate Kid fans may have felt their appetite for the franchise already satisfied by the success of Netflix’s Cobra Kai, which ran for six seasons and wrapped up earlier this year. The series, praised for its balance of nostalgia and modern storytelling, might have inadvertently drained demand for another theatrical installment.
Additionally, the film’s PG-13 rating, male-driven narrative, and multiverse-like setup may not be resonating with a wide enough demographic to compete with Disney’s family-friendly giant or Cruise’s adrenaline-fueled finale.
Other New Releases: A24 and Wes Anderson
In other box office news, A24’s psychological thriller Bring Her Back, starring Sally Hawkins, is poised for a respectable fifth-place finish with projected earnings of $6.5 million to $8 million.
On the specialty front, Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme is off to a promising start, opening in just six theaters but expected to achieve the highest per-theater average of the year. The film, which premiered to acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, is a collaboration between Focus Features and Indian Paintbrush.
Box Office Rankings (Weekend Estimates):
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Lilo & Stitch (Disney) – $60+ million (Second Weekend)
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Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning (Paramount/Skydance) – $28 million
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Karate Kid: Legends (Sony Pictures) – $21–$23 million
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Holdovers & Re-Releases
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Bring Her Back (A24) – $6.5–$8 million
