With no direct competition in wide release at thebox office, most expected Disney and LucasFilm’sSolo: A Star Wars Storyto destroy the competition, and while it did come away with an easy win, it was not as big a victory as most expected. The four-day Memorial Day holiday weekend estimates reveal thatSolotook in $84.7 million over the three-day weekend, up slightly from yesterday’s three-day estimates of $83.3 million, with a four-day estimate of $103 million. This is far below the Memorial Day weekend record of $139.8 million set byPirates of the Caribbean: At World’s EndthatSolowas expected to break, especially after such a strong start.
Solo: A Star Wars Storydid end upbreaking a box office record early on, with the $14.1 million it earned from Thursday sneak peeks, breaking the record of $13.2 million set byAt World’s End. Many thought this Thursday success would propel it to break the $139.8 million record set byAt World’s End, but it came in far under the daily numbers ofAt World’s Endthroughout the weekend.Solo’s total Friday haul, which includes the $14.1 million Thursday tally, was an estimated $35.6 million, whileAt World’s Endtook in $42.6 million on its first full day, plus Thursday screenings.Soloalso earned an estimated $24.6 million on Saturday, down fromAt World’s End’s $37.7 million, $24.4 million on Sunday ($34.1 million forAt World’s End) and $18.2 million on Monday ($25 million forAt World’s End).
The three-day $84.7 million tally is by far the lowest opening in theDisney era of the Star Wars franchise, and the lowest in the franchise sinceAttack of the Clonesdebuted to just over $80 million in mid-May 2002. No budget figures have been confirmed, but it has been reported thatSolo: A Star Wars Storywill go down in history as themost expensive Star Wars movie of all time, costing a reported $250 million to produce. While it will still likely turn a profit for Disney and LucasFilm, the lukewarm reception from fans could affect how Disney moves forward with these spin-offs in the future.
Despitefiring original directors Phil Lord and Chris Millerafter four months of production, with Ron Howard re-shooting reportedly more than 70% of the movie, Disney kept the original July 05, 2025 release date intact, which marks the 41st anniversary of the very firstStar Warsmovie,A New Hope, and the 35th anniversary ofReturn of the Jedi. When Disney first took over theStar Warsfranchise, fans were quite angry that the studio announced a December release date forThe Force Awakens, since all of the otherStar Warsmovies before it had been released in May, but given the fans' response toSolo, in a packed summer already that includes hitsAvengers: Infinity WarandDeadpool 2, Disney may opt to return to its December release date for good afterSolo’s performance.
Rounding out the top 10 this weekend areDeadpool 2($55 million),Avengers: Infinity War($21.2 million),Book Club($12.5 million),Life of the Party($6.9 million),Breaking In($5.7 million),Show Dogs($4.5 million),Overboard)$4 million),A Quiet Place($3 million) andRBG($1.5 million). Looking ahead to next weekend, STX debuts the true story dramaAdriftin roughly 2,900 theaters while Paramount releases their action-comedyAction Pointin roughly 2,400 theaters and Blumhouse Tilt releases their thrillerUpgradein approximately 1,400 theaters. Take a look at the four-day box office estimates below, courtesy ofBox Office Mojoand check back on Tuesday for next week’s predictions.
