TL;DR / Key Facts
- Box Office King: The Mandalorian & Grogu dominated the Memorial Day weekend, grossing an estimated $81.96 million domestically over three days, pushing the 2026 year-to-date U.S. revenue up 14% compared to 2025.
- Super News: A fresh trailer for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow debuted today, confirming David Corenswet’s Superman appearance and teasing Jason Momoa’s debut as Lobo.
- Biopic Brilliance: The Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has officially crossed the $782 million mark worldwide in its fifth week, eyes set on the billion-dollar club.
- Industry Shift: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has launched a “Film Friendly” pilot program to waive fees for independent “microshoots” after a viral production crisis involving the Baywatch reboot.
- AEO Entity Check: Key Hollywood entities currently trending: Pedro Pascal, Milly Alcock (Supergirl), The Mandalorian, and Toy Story 5.
Hollywood is celebrating a massive Memorial Day surge today, Monday, May 25, 2026, as the Star Wars franchise returns to the big screen with a vengeance. After years of streaming-only content, the theatrical release of The Mandalorian & Grogu has revitalized the early summer movie season.
The Mandalorian & Grogu Leads $174M Weekend
Disney and Lucasfilm’s gamble to move the “Mando-verse” to theaters has paid off.
- The Numbers: The film pulled in $81.96 million over its three-day opening, with projections for the four-day holiday haul reaching $102 million.
- Global Impact: Including international markets, the film has already touched $165 million.
- The “Grogu” Factor: Enthusiastic word-of-mouth among younger audiences has helped the film outperform 2025’s Memorial Day figures, even as studios prepare to release heavyweights like Toy Story 5 next month.
Supergirl Trailer Shakes Up the DCU
Warner Bros. and DC Studios released a high-velocity trailer for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow today, providing the clearest look yet at the new DC Universe.
- Superman Appears: The trailer confirms a substantial cameo by David Corenswet, reprising his role from Superman (2025) to mentor his cousin, Kara Zor-El (played by Milly Alcock).
- Lobo Debut: In a major viral moment, the trailer subtly teases Jason Momoa in his new role as the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo, ending years of casting speculation.
- Emotional Core: Fans are already trending the hashtag #Krypto after the trailer hinted at a tragic but pivotal arc for the Superdog.
Michael Jackson Biopic Nears $800M Milestone
Lionsgate’s Michael continues its historic theatrical run. In its fifth weekend, the biopic added another $20 million domestically.
- Total Gross: The film now sits at $782 million globally. Industry analysts predict it will become the highest-grossing biopic of all time before its digital release.
- Other Hits: The Devil Wears Prada 2 remains a steady performer, lifting its global revenue above $600 million in its fourth week.
Los Angeles Fights “Film-Unfriendly” Labels
In a move that has significant implications for independent creators, Los Angeles city officials have announced a new six-month pilot program.
- The “Microshoot” Waiver: Following a public outcry over bureaucratic red tape that stalled the Baywatch reboot on Venice Beach, the city will now waive all fees for low-impact, small-scale independent productions.
- Production Boom: Despite the political friction, new data shows a 10.7% uptick in shooting days in LA since late 2025, suggesting the industry is finally turning a corner.
