Megan Basham

According to studio estimates, Lilo and Stitch grossed a staggering $183 million domestically. Now, that's an all-time Disney record for this timeframe. And then if we look at its global haul, we're looking at $342 million. And then meanwhile, we've got Mission Impossible, which brought in a franchise-best $77 million domestically and $190 million worldwide domestically.

According to studio estimates, Lilo and Stitch grossed a staggering $183 million domestically. Now, that's an all-time Disney record for this timeframe. And then if we look at its global haul, we're looking at $342 million. And then meanwhile, we've got Mission Impossible, which brought in a franchise-best $77 million domestically and $190 million worldwide domestically.

Taken together, Hollywood is hoping that this is going to be a game changer for an industry that has really been looking to get back that pre-pandemic momentum. And I know that's something you and I have been talking about, Georgia, for the last couple of years.

Taken together, Hollywood is hoping that this is going to be a game changer for an industry that has really been looking to get back that pre-pandemic momentum. And I know that's something you and I have been talking about, Georgia, for the last couple of years.

You know, I think in part that this was a lot of nostalgia for millennials and other people who kind of grew up with that version. They stuck very close to the script there. Where is he? He escaped. And then you have social media buzz, especially coming from younger women and parents. It's been off the charts. It's got an A cinema score, so that's signaling strong word of mouth.

You know, I think in part that this was a lot of nostalgia for millennials and other people who kind of grew up with that version. They stuck very close to the script there. Where is he? He escaped. And then you have social media buzz, especially coming from younger women and parents. It's been off the charts. It's got an A cinema score, so that's signaling strong word of mouth.

And then you look at posts on X that are really capturing this excitement. You're seeing people show up to the theaters in costume, in stitch merch, as plushies, turning these screenings into events. And that's really the kind of cultural resonance Disney looks for in its very IP-driven strategy.

And then you look at posts on X that are really capturing this excitement. You're seeing people show up to the theaters in costume, in stitch merch, as plushies, turning these screenings into events. And that's really the kind of cultural resonance Disney looks for in its very IP-driven strategy.

Yeah, absolutely. And I would say he's very much one of the few stars today who still can. While it didn't reach the heights of Lilo and Stitch, Mission Impossible, The Final Reckoning is unquestionably a triumph for him. So we've all seen for a while that Cruise's plan seems to be to be a one-man chamber of commerce from the film industry. And he's really succeeding in a lot of ways.

Yeah, absolutely. And I would say he's very much one of the few stars today who still can. While it didn't reach the heights of Lilo and Stitch, Mission Impossible, The Final Reckoning is unquestionably a triumph for him. So we've all seen for a while that Cruise's plan seems to be to be a one-man chamber of commerce from the film industry. And he's really succeeding in a lot of ways.

MI's opening take beat the previous franchise record set by Mission Impossible Fallout in 2018 by $14 million. And that's not adjusted for inflation. And then globally, it's already at $204 million, despite not yet opening in China.

MI's opening take beat the previous franchise record set by Mission Impossible Fallout in 2018 by $14 million. And that's not adjusted for inflation. And then globally, it's already at $204 million, despite not yet opening in China.

Yeah, I would say no doubt. I mean, it's obviously been a shot in the arm for an industry that's been struggling. The 2025 domestic box office is projected to hit 9.5 billion. That's up from 8.7 billion last year. And theater owners are being pretty vocal about needing to get these consistent releases of big franchise films, big blockbusters, in order to see these audiences return to theaters.

Yeah, I would say no doubt. I mean, it's obviously been a shot in the arm for an industry that's been struggling. The 2025 domestic box office is projected to hit 9.5 billion. That's up from 8.7 billion last year. And theater owners are being pretty vocal about needing to get these consistent releases of big franchise films, big blockbusters, in order to see these audiences return to theaters.

Of course, my pleasure.

Of course, my pleasure.

You know, Georgia, what I can tell you is that the atmosphere so far at the Combs trial has been explosive. Some of the details that have been offered are extremely not safe for work. I think I could safely say that this is the most X-rated trial that I've ever followed.

You know, Georgia, what I can tell you is that the atmosphere so far at the Combs trial has been explosive. Some of the details that have been offered are extremely not safe for work. I think I could safely say that this is the most X-rated trial that I've ever followed.

So, you know, I do want to warn parents, if you have kids in earshot right now, you might want to put the show on pause before I get into it. But just some details. Inside the courtroom, these prosecutors painted a very dark picture. They alleged that Combs used his fame, his wealth, his multimedia empire.

So, you know, I do want to warn parents, if you have kids in earshot right now, you might want to put the show on pause before I get into it. But just some details. Inside the courtroom, these prosecutors painted a very dark picture. They alleged that Combs used his fame, his wealth, his multimedia empire.