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Karate Kid: Legends opens with $7.5 million

The film earned $7.5 million on its opening day but struggles against competition.

May 31, 2025 at 03:01 PM

Karate Kid: Legends earned $7.5 million on opening day, while Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible aim to hold the top spots.

Karate Kid: Legends earns $7.5 million on opening day

Karate Kid: Legends opened with $7.5 million from 3,809 theaters on Friday and preview screenings. This debut is not strong enough to dethrone Lilo & Stitch or Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning from the top of the box office. The film was expected to reach $25 million for the weekend but now estimates suggest a range of $21 million to $23 million. Despite good reception among fans, the martial arts film only appeals to a niche audience of Karate Kid enthusiasts. The production cost for Legends, however, was a reasonable $45 million, making it more secure financially compared to other summer blockbuster releases. Lilo & Stitch continues to impress with an additional $17 million on its second Friday, boasting a total gross of $234 million so far. Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning saw a $7.5 million haul as well, maintaining its position in the number two spot with projections indicating a $122 million total by the end of its run. A24's horror film Bring Her Back opened with around $3 million, while limited releases like The Phoenician Scheme by Wes Anderson are rolling out gradually to audiences.

Key Takeaways

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Karate Kid: Legends falls short of expectations with $7.5 million opening

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Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible maintain strong box office positions

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Production costs weigh heavily on potential profitability of big-budget films

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Fan reception and nostalgia may not guarantee box office success even with franchise films.

"Karate Kid: Legends opened with $7.5 million from 3,809 theaters on Friday and preview screenings."

This quote provides a factual basis for the movie's initial performance.

"Lilo & Stitch continues to impress with an additional $17 million on its second Friday."

Demonstrates the strong performance of competing films in the box office.

"Fan reception and nostalgia may not guarantee box office success even with franchise films."

This highlights a growing concern about the viability of legacy sequels.

The $7.5 million opening for Karate Kid: Legends marks an uphill battle for Sony's legacy sequel. It highlights a growing trend where nostalgic sequels struggle to attract larger audiences, despite built-in fandom. Parent companies need to consider whether they can sustain such projects when fanfare alone doesn’t guarantee box-office success. With escalating production costs, films like Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning illustrate the challenge of turning a profit amid heavy budgets and declining interest from casual moviegoers. Industry analysts will be watching to see how Legends performs in the coming weeks, especially as schools let out for summer.