The success of "Top Gun: Maverick" has lifted hopes for a robust summer box office, after the long-awaited sequel generated $160 million in North American ticket sales over its Memorial Day weekend premiere.
The airborne action blockbuster's debut had been teed up as a do-or-die moment for moviegoing, with 59-year-old actor and producer Tom Cruise returning to the Navy aviator franchise after 36 years, seemingly on a quest to save the big screen experience through sheer force of will.
"There should be a shrine to Tom Cruise in every movie theater," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.