Karate Kid: Legends Hits Theaters as Top New Release Amid Strong May Box Office

After a record-breaking Memorial Day weekend at the box office, May closes with an exciting final surge as Sony’s Karate Kid: Legends premieres as the leading new release during the May 30–June 1 weekend.

This sixth installment of the beloved Karate Kid franchise introduces Ben Wang as Li Fong, a young kung fu prodigy and great-nephew of Mr. Han (played by Jackie Chan). After relocating to New York City with his mother, Li becomes entangled in the dangerous world of underground fighters. With guidance from his great-uncle Mr. Han and the legendary Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li embarks on a quest to compete in the highly anticipated Five Boroughs Tournament.

Karate Kid: Legends is expected to open with a box office gross between $25 million and $30 million. However, it faces stiff competition from last weekend’s top earners: Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Paramount’s Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, projected to earn $60 million and $30 million respectively over the same weekend. The highest-grossing film in the franchise remains the 2010 Karate Kid reboot starring Jaden Smith, which opened with $55 million and went on to make $359 million worldwide.

Other notable new releases this weekend include A24’s Australian horror thriller Bring Her Back, with an expected debut around $6 million, and Wes Anderson’s star-studded comedy The Phoenician Scheme, opening in limited theaters.

New Releases Overview

• Karate Kid: Legends
  Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and distributed by Sony Pictures, the film follows Li Fong’s journey as he confronts local challengers and prepares for the ultimate karate competition. The PG-13 action movie stars Ralph Macchio, Jackie Chan, and Ben Wang, with a runtime of 94 minutes. Despite a mixed critical reception, including a 55% Rotten Tomatoes score and 53% on Metacritic, the film holds strong appeal for family audiences.

• Bring Her Back
  Directed by Danny and Michael Philippou and distributed by A24, this horror thriller explores a terrifying ritual discovered by siblings living with their foster mother. Rated R and running 104 minutes, the film has earned critical acclaim with an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 75% on Metacritic.

• The Phoenician Scheme
  Directed by Wes Anderson and distributed by Focus Features, this action-comedy centers on a wealthy businessman’s daughter becoming the sole heir of his estate amidst danger and intrigue. The PG-13 movie stars Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, and Michael Cera, with a runtime of 101 minutes. It holds a 77% Rotten Tomatoes rating and 71% on Metacritic.

Box Office Predictions

Despite the recent surge, Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning are predicted to maintain their top spots, with Karate Kid: Legends securing third place. Final Destination Bloodlines is expected to earn approximately $10 million in its third weekend, ranking fourth. Meanwhile, Bring Her Back may exceed initial expectations thanks to strong reviews and the horror genre’s popularity.

Top Five Weekend Box Office Predictions by Gold Derby

1. Lilo & Stitch

2. Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning

3. Karate Kid: Legends

4. Final Destination Bloodlines

5. Bring Her Back

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