Lilo & Stitch Leads Box Office Again as Ballerina Makes Graceful Debut
Disney’s nostalgic island tale keeps its crown for a third week, while the John Wick spinoff finds its footing with a strong performance from Ana de Armas.
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Los Angeles, June 9: Lilo & Stitch continues its triumphant run at the North American box office, holding firm at the top spot for a third consecutive weekend. The heartfelt Disney remake added another $32.5 million to its domestic total, pushing its North American earnings to $335.8 million, while crossing $772 million worldwide—making it one of the studio’s biggest live-action successes in recent years.
Disney’s Island Tale Finds a New Beat
Few expected this remake of a quirky 2002 animated film to take the summer by storm, but that’s exactly what it’s done. Part of the film’s charm lies in its refusal to over-modernize. Instead, director Dean Fleischer Camp leaned into the original’s emotional resonance, letting ohana—the Hawaiian idea of chosen family—do the heavy lifting.
Audiences seem to have connected deeply with the film’s grounded energy. The casting of Maia Kealoha as Lilo brought a refreshing sense of honesty to the screen, while the film’s visual effects team, led by Industrial Light & Magic, managed to recreate Stitch with just enough chaos and heart to satisfy both new viewers and returning fans.
This new version hasn’t just outpaced expectations—it’s out-earned Disney’s The Little Mermaid live-action reboot, which capped its entire domestic run at $298 million.
Ballerina’s Measured Step Into the Spotlight
In second place, Ballerina—a spinoff from the John Wick universe—made its debut with $25 million across North American theaters. Though initial tracking suggested a stronger launch in the $35 to $40 million range, the final figure reflects a tempered yet promising opening for a franchise sidestep.
Directed by Len Wiseman and starring Ana de Armas, the film takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, focusing on a ballerina-assassin seeking revenge for her family’s murder. While Keanu Reeves appears briefly, the narrative belongs squarely to de Armas—and she makes the most of it.
Critics have responded positively, noting the film’s slower, more deliberate pace compared to the high-octane chaos of the main franchise. Audience scores have also been encouraging. According to Rotten Tomatoes, viewers have given Ballerina a 93% approval rating, with many praising its moody aesthetic and character-driven storytelling.
Its international rollout brought in an additional $26 million, giving it a global opening weekend of $51 million. Given its reported $90 million production budget—much of which has already been offset through overseas distribution deals—the film remains well-positioned for a steady run.
A Shifting Summer Landscape
Rounding out the top five this weekend were some familiar faces. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning pulled in another $15 million, pushing its global total to $450.4 million. While still profitable, the latest installment in the action series has not reached the lofty heights of its predecessors, despite strong reviews.
Karate Kid: Legends, buoyed by nostalgia and a steady fanbase, earned $8.7 million, while Final Destination: Bloodlines brought in $6.5 million, appealing to horror fans hungry for new entries in classic franchises.
One of the weekend’s quieter stories was the nationwide expansion of Wes Anderson’s new film, The Phoenician Scheme, which earned $6.3 million from 1,678 theaters. While never expected to dominate, the film is performing well for an arthouse title, especially given its unconventional tone and ensemble cast led by Benicio del Toro.
Anime and Indie Hold Their Ground
Elsewhere, Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye, a Japanese animated feature released by GKIDS, managed to crack the top ten with $3.1 million. It’s a notable feat for a limited release, signaling anime’s continued rise in Western markets.
Smaller entries like Bring Her Back and Sinners also held their own, with $3.5 million and $2.9 million respectively. Meanwhile, Marvel’s Thunderbolts trailed behind at $2.5 million, reflecting franchise fatigue that’s become increasingly evident over the past year.
The Bigger Picture
Overall, the domestic box office is experiencing a meaningful rebound. As per Comscore, total revenue is up over 26% compared to this time last year. Analysts credit the resurgence to a broader genre mix, smarter release strategies, and a growing appetite for theatrical experiences that go beyond streaming convenience.
What’s clear from this weekend is that audiences are gravitating toward stories that feel both familiar and emotionally grounded. Lilo & Stitch may have entered the summer as an underdog, but it has emerged as a cultural juggernaut—offering a tender reminder that good storytelling, when done with sincerity, can still lead the pack.
As for Ballerina, its next test comes next weekend, when it will go head-to-head with How to Train Your Dragon, a family-friendly heavyweight. But if early audience feedback is any indication, Ana de Armas may have just carved out a new space for female-led action within an already sprawling franchise.
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