The summer box office has kicked into high gear, with Memorial Day weekend’s record-breaking haul still resonating. Theatrical releases now offer something for everyone, at least through Labor Day weekend, thanks to New Line’s “The Conjuring: Last Rites.” With 45% of K-12 schools out for the summer, parents are eager for family-friendly films.
Sony’s “Karate Kid: Legends” is set to generate $25M-$30M from its opening, including a share of premium large format (PLF) screens. Although it may not dethrone Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” this sequel will still deliver strong box office numbers for exhibitors.
The 41-year-old film franchise has spawned five previous movies, with the 2010 reboot holding the record for highest opening with $55.7M. Its domestic and worldwide grosses are significant, standing at $176.6M and $359M respectively.
Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” will maintain its momentum, dipping by an expected 50% to $32M in its second weekend. Meanwhile, Australian twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou’s follow-up film “Bring Her Back” is poised for a modest $5M-$7M opening.
While some may predict a massive flop, studios are confident that even high-budget films can be profitable. The ticket split has changed, with theaters now receiving a smaller share of the revenue. With these factors in mind, predictions suggest “Lilo & Stitch” will surpass its initial estimate, while “Karate Kid: Legends” and “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” will deliver respectable box office numbers.
However, experts are divided on how the latter film’s performance will unfold, with some predicting a significant drop-off in the second weekend. Nevertheless, “Bring Her Back” is expected to perform better than expected, thanks to its fresh premise and talented cast. As the summer box office heats up, one thing is certain – this season promises to be filled with exciting releases and surprises.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/05/karate-kid-legends-bring-her-back-box-office-previews-1236412196