Nostalgia Fuels "Karate Kid: Legends" Toward a Strong Box Office Kickoff

Get ready for a powerful blend of martial arts and memory lane: Karate Kid: Legends is poised to unleash a $25 million opening weekend, riding high on the wave of retro revival. This time, two generations of Karate Kid icons collide — Jackie Chan, who starred in the 2010 reboot, joins forces with Ralph Macchio, the original crane-kicking underdog from the 1984 classic.

The film, distributed by Sony Pictures, is also expected to benefit from the lasting momentum of Cobra Kai, the hit Netflix series that breathed new life into the franchise. Some industry insiders are betting the debut could soar even higher, possibly reaching $30 million if fans pack theaters in droves.

Even conservative forecasts suggest a solid opening for the film, especially considering its lean $45 million production budget. Still, it won’t be enough to dethrone Disney’s reigning box office juggernaut, Lilo & Stitch, which raked in an astonishing $182.6 million over Memorial Day weekend. That animated crowd-pleaser is expected to bring in over $60 million more in its second frame, pushing it past the $400 million global milestone by Thursday. Not bad for a film originally intended to premiere on Disney+ with a $100 million budget.

Meanwhile, Tom Cruise’s adrenaline-pumping Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is locking in the number-two spot with another $30 million anticipated this weekend. After a $79 million holiday debut, the high-octane sequel is speeding toward a $300 million global tally — but with a massive $400 million production cost, it still has a long way to go before it sees black ink. Profits, it seems, may prove more elusive than infiltrating an underwater Arctic fortress.

A24 is also entering the ring this weekend with a chilling contender. Bring Her Back, a supernatural thriller out of Australia, is projected to open around $6 million. The film follows siblings who discover sinister secrets at their foster mother’s rural estate. Critics are already raving — Sally Hawkins’ eerie performance and the film’s creepy atmosphere have earned it a glowing 90% “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes. With horror always a reliable draw, this one might just exceed expectations.

In the limited release arena, Wes Anderson returns with The Phoenician Scheme, a whimsically dark tale brimming with stars. The auteur behind The Grand Budapest Hotel and Moonrise Kingdom brings another meticulously crafted story to the screen, this time starring Benicio del Toro, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, and rising talent Mia Threapleton.

After months of uncertainty and industry turbulence, Hollywood seems to be regaining its footing. With Memorial Day box office totals hitting historic highs, studios and theater owners are hopeful that audiences are fully back in moviegoing mode. Thanks to hits like Lilo & Stitch, A Minecraft Movie, and the gritty crime saga Sinners, the summer season is off to a roaring start.

Now all eyes are on LaRusso and company — can they keep the winning streak alive?