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Is Disney Stock a Buy After Record Box Office Weekend? Jim Cramer Thinks So.
Is Disney Stock a Buy After Record Box Office Weekend? Jim Cramer Thinks So.

Globe and Mail

time6 hours ago

  • Business
  • Globe and Mail

Is Disney Stock a Buy After Record Box Office Weekend? Jim Cramer Thinks So.

Jim Cramer, famed television personality and host of the popular CNBC show 'Mad Money,' has come out in favor of Disney (DIS). Cramer believes the entertainment giant, after a rough patch, is poised for a rebound thanks to the unexpected success of Lilo & Stitch, the live-action remake of the beloved 2002 animated classic. The movie made a spectacular Memorial Day weekend with a $183 million domestic box-office haul, and Disney reported on May 27 that it had earned $361.3 million worldwide to date, leading to Disney becoming the first studio to crossed $2 billion in collections at the global box office in 2025. However, amid all the excitement, DIS stock is still flat on a YTD basis, with a market cap of $200.5 billion. So, is Cramer's optimism around the 'House of the Mouse' justified or should investors make a beeline for the stock? Let's find out. Disney Posts Solid Q2 Results Since CEO Bob Iger's return to the helm, Disney's operations have stabilized, with revenue and earnings experiencing compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 7.1% and 43.8%, respectively. The strong showing continued in the most recent quarter as well with Disney reporting a beat on both revenue and earnings. Revenue grew by 6.8% from the previous year to $23.6 billion, and the company moved into profitability in Q2 2025 with EPS of $1.81 compared to a loss of $0.01 per share in the year-ago period. All the key revenue segments of the company clocked growth, with the Entertainment, Sports, and Experiences segments growing by 9%, 5% and 6% on a year-over-year basis to $10.7 billion, $4.5 billion and $8.9 billion, respectively. Moreover, Disney+ saw its total paid subscribers rise to 126 million from 124.6 million in the prior year with an improvement in monthly revenue per paid subscriber to $7.77 from $7.55 in the same period. Disney's cash flow from operations for the quarter stood at $9.9 billion (vs $5.8 billion in Q2 2024), with free cash flow rising to $5.6 billion from $3.3 billion in the prior year. Analysts project forward revenue and earnings growth rates of 3.99% and 61.75% for Disney, which are ahead of the sector medians of 3.18% and 11.13%, respectively. Core Drivers The primary reason Disney has become a focus of investor enthusiasm is its ambitious blueprint to expand across physical entertainment destinations and interactive digital experiences. A major component of this strategy is the company's decision to establish its next flagship theme park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This forthcoming resort will become Disney's seventh such complex and, according to Josh D'Amaro, who leads Disney Experiences, it is poised to be the most advanced and interactive project the company has ever developed. While no opening date has been disclosed, the announcement alone marks a significant step in Disney's global growth efforts. Alongside international expansion, substantial updates are also planned for Disney's domestic parks. In Anaheim, the Avengers-themed zone will see considerable growth, while a new Avatar-based experience is set to be introduced at California Adventure. In Florida, Magic Kingdom will unveil an entire area focused on classic Disney villains, and Animal Kingdom will debut a new Indiana Jones narrative. Additions are also coming to other corners of the Walt Disney World Resort, including a Monsters, Inc.-inspired space at Hollywood Studios and a new extension in Frontierland featuring characters and themes from the Cars franchise. Simultaneously, Disney is investing heavily in gaming and digital realms. Through a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic Games, the company has laid the groundwork for an entirely new entertainment universe inspired by Fortnite. This initiative will incorporate beloved Disney franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel, with Epic's Unreal Engine serving as the backbone for game development and immersive storytelling. Beyond content creation, the company is actively restructuring its streaming and media business to drive efficiency and monetization. One major move involves integrating its three streaming services — Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ — into a singular platform that emphasizes user customization and value-oriented bundling. Disney also intends to bring ESPN directly to consumers via a new standalone product in the coming months. In parallel, the company is finalizing a transaction that will see Hulu + Live TV combine with fuboTV in a multibillion-dollar deal, resulting in Disney holding a 70% stake in the newly merged streaming service. Taken together, these moves reflect a broader strategic vision — one that merges Disney's strengths in storytelling, technology, and global brand loyalty. With physical expansion complementing innovation in digital engagement and content distribution, Disney is setting the stage not only for continued financial growth but for deeper consumer interaction with its franchises. For shareholders, the convergence of theme park development, gaming ventures, and streaming integration paints a compelling picture of a company aligning its core assets to meet evolving consumer demands and unlock long-term value. Analyst Opinions on DIS Stock Overall, analysts have attributed a rating of 'Strong Buy' for Disney stock with a mean target price of $125.73, which denotes an upside potential of about 12% from current levels. Out of 29 analysts covering the stock, 21 have a 'Strong Buy' rating, two have a 'Moderate Buy' rating, and six have a 'Hold' rating.

3 great free movies to stream this weekend (May 30-June 1)
3 great free movies to stream this weekend (May 30-June 1)

Digital Trends

time14 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Digital Trends

3 great free movies to stream this weekend (May 30-June 1)

Instead of enjoying the unofficial start to summer, many people flocked to the movie theater to enjoy new offerings like Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. These two movies, along with holdovers like Final Destination Bloodlines, powered the box office to a record-setting Memorial Day weekend. The box office should continue to thrive with the addition of Karate Kid: Legends this weekend. One of our free movies to stream this weekend comes from the Karate Kid franchise. Karate Kid Part III and more movies can be found on FAST services, a free streaming service that doesn't cost a dime. Recommended Videos We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+. The Karate Kid Part III (1989) Before Karate Kid: Legends, the last time Macchio played Daniel LaRusso in a feature film was The Karate Kid Part III. After returning to Los Angeles after a trip to Okinawa, Daniel moves in with Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita), and the two open a bonsai shop. Daniel has no interest in fighting, but he's forced to display aggression after the arrival of Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), a shady businessman with a dark past. Silver's friend is disgraced sensei John Kreese (Martin Kove), and he plans to exact his revenge by driving a wedge between Daniel and Miyagi. It all culminates with the All-Valley Tournament, where Daniel must take on the ruthless Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan). Part III is a good refresher for the later seasons of Cobra Kai. Stream The Karate Kid Part III on Tubi. Jerry Maguire (1996) The two characters that have defined Tom Cruise's career are Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible and Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in Top Gun. Jerry Maguire has a legitimate claim for the third most recognizable character in Cruise's filmography. Directed by Cameron Crowe, Jerry Maguire stars Cruise as the titular protagonist, a passionate sports agent who starts his own management firm after being fired. Life on his own isn't easy for Jerry, who has little money and only one employee: Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger). All Jerry has is one client, football player Rod Ridwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), who begs his agent to show him the money. Jerry Maguire is a showcase for all the best aspects of Cruise — charisma, looks, emotion, and talent. It's the role that should have won him his first Oscar. Stream Jerry Maguire for free on Pluto TV. Dog (2022) Who doesn't love good boys and girls? Channing Tatum teamed with a canine friend for the heartfelt Dog, a road trip comedy he directed with Reid Carolin. Former U.S. Army Ranger Jackson Briggs (Tatum) faces his toughest adversary to date: Lulu, an aggressive female Belgian Malinois. Lulu is the former military dog of Briggs' late comrade. Briggs and Lulu must travel down the West Coast and get to a funeral on time. The trip doesn't go according to plan, and multiple setbacks occur. Over time, Briggs and Lulu realize they're not so different from each other. Both are suffering and need help, something they can provide for each other if they're willing to open up. Stream Dog for free on Tubi.

LILO & STITCH Director Responds to Backlash Over Live-Action Ending: 'It Just Felt Like the Right Thing to Do' — GeekTyrant
LILO & STITCH Director Responds to Backlash Over Live-Action Ending: 'It Just Felt Like the Right Thing to Do' — GeekTyrant

Geek Tyrant

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Geek Tyrant

LILO & STITCH Director Responds to Backlash Over Live-Action Ending: 'It Just Felt Like the Right Thing to Do' — GeekTyrant

Disney's Lilo & Stitch live-action remake has been a financial success, pulling in over $360 million globally, but not everyone is thrilled about the creative choices, especially when it comes to the film's reimagined ending. Now, director Dean Fleischer Camp has stepped in to address the controversy and offer some insight into the thinking behind the film's most debated change. Unlike the 2002 animated original, the new version shifts who ends up raising Lilo. Instead of Nani and David taking on guardianship together, David and his grandmother become Lilo's foster family, while Nani leaves for college. She's still part of Lilo's life, visiting regularly through Jumba's portal gun, but this change has sparked criticism from some fans, who feel Nani 'abandoned' her sister. Camp doesn't see it that way. Responding on X, the Marcel the Shell filmmaker linked to an article defending the movie's ending and wrote: 'For anybody questioning the ending of our film, this beautiful piece [...] nails it.' He later followed up with: 'Thank you for sharing your stories with me. It seems like the people with actual lived experiences like this are the ones with whom this ending resonates the most.' For Camp, the decision to have Nani pursue her own dreams wasn't about removing her from Lilo's life, it was about deepening the story's emotional layers. Speaking to Deadline, he explained: 'I think that was one of the things that we talked about, thematically modernizing and updating for this live-action version was broadening the idea of Ohana and complicating it with a little more nuance. It just felt like the right thing to do.' He elaborated on how Nani's arc felt incomplete in the original, adding: 'Given that Nani, who I always felt was a little too rose-colored glasses for somebody in her situation, was so smart and has had to abandon a lot of these dreams or defer them because she had to take care of her little sister and inherited all this responsibility at such a young age. 'It just felt like she might not have such an easy time buying into, 'Nobody gets left behind' because she certainly would feel like, well, I'm struggling here. So that informed the approach that we took with the story and with the arch between the two sisters and what the resolution ended up being.' These changes are part of a broader update to the film's themes. While the original leaned into the sweetness and simplicity of Ohana, the remake digs into the complications that come with sacrifice, ambition, and the many ways families evolve. It's a creative choice that doesn't sit well with everyone, but it's a choice Camp 100% stands by. The new Lilo & Stitch stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, and introduces Maia Kealoha as Lilo. Chris Sanders reprises his role as the voice of Stitch, with a script by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes. Whether you're on board with the new ending or not, it's clear the creative team aimed to expand the story rather than simply replicate it. As Camp's comments make clear, the goal wasn't to rewrite what made Lilo & Stitch special, it was to explore it in a different light.

The show goes on: how did Broadway achieve a record-breaking season?
The show goes on: how did Broadway achieve a record-breaking season?

The Guardian

timea day ago

  • Business
  • The Guardian

The show goes on: how did Broadway achieve a record-breaking season?

Hollywood reporting was recently abuzz that on the heels of record Memorial Day weekend grosses led by the Lilo & Stitch remake and a Mission: Impossible sequel, total summer box office could cross the $4bn mark for only the second time since the Covid disruption of 2020. (The first time was summer 2023, on the strength of Barbenheimer.) To be clear, this wouldn't guarantee an all-time summer record; the numbers would need to get a lot closer to $5bn for that to happen. But something in the $4bn range would be closer to pre-pandemic business as usual, in line with most of the 2010s. Given the struggles so many movie theaters and studios have faced while hoping to find their way back to that old sense of normal, it's surprising to learn that a different and far pricier style of box office record was just shattered. The 2024-2025 Broadway season is ending up as the highest-grossing in history, its $1.89bn surpassing the 2018-2019 season's $1.82bn. Given the specialized nature of Broadway productions – they're less accessible, more expensive, and frankly less physically comfortable than going to the movies, even just within New York City – this seems like a spectacular triumph. What happened? Some of that boost can probably be attributed to the proliferation of starry, limited productions with sky-high prices. But unlike cinemas, which can usually add more showtimes to meet any outsized demand, there are ultimately limits on how much a handful of shows can contribute to the total. George Clooney's Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck recently set an individual weeklong record and has raked in a ton of money. Yet grosses for the final week of the season reflect a far deeper bench than just Clooney, Denzel, and the boys of Glengarry Glen Ross. Other shows playing right around 100% capacity over the holiday weekend include fixtures like Wicked, Hamilton, and The Lion King; relative newcomers to the musical game like Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, Death Becomes Her, and Maybe Happy Ending; and straight plays – traditionally considered a less tourist-friendly proposition – like Oh, Mary!, Purpose, and John Proctor Is the Villain. None of those rely on movie stars; relatively few are even based on movies or past productions, in contrast to the heavy dose of IP regurgitation and uninspired revivals that dotted Broadway in years past. (In fact, the splashy and effects-packed Stranger Things companion play seems to be doing less overall business than the original drama starring that show's Sadie Sink.) So is it as simple as Broadway offering an unusual number of good and often original shows – or at least balancing out its revivals with major stars while taking chances on crowd-pleasing originals? Yes and no – specifically, 'no' to the simple part. Some of the record is probably that lucky break of an unusually strong slate, though that doesn't necessarily explain an uptick for a production like The Lion King, which has been on the boards for nearly 30 years at this point. For that matter, anyone with a Disney+ subscription can watch the original cast of Hamilton. Maybe this means scarcity, while powerful in supporting high ticket prices, is less important than it seems. In other words, the movies might have helped, in a roundabout way – not just by donating big-screen star power but with the smash success of Wicked over the 2024 holidays, which may have served to remind less dedicated theatergoers (or out-of-towners who don't have as many chances at a Broadway show) how thrilling it can feel to be in on a cultural phenomenon that isn't a direct remake or a part eight. That's what might hold Hollywood off from a record summer, even if 2025 shapes up to be the strongest one in a while. Lilo, Stitch, and Ethan Hunt have proven that remakes and sequels can still sell, but can they sell on a weekly basis for the next three months? The next summer weekend that's not powered by a sequel and/or reboot of some sort is ... 22 August. There are certainly more eclectic or original choices available before then: Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme, Celine Song's Materialists, and Pixar's Elio in June alone. The 2024-25 Broadway line-up more closely resembles that kind of eclecticism, rather than the metronomic appearance of supposed sure things. There's a kind of trust that the audience can sit for a culturally specific, long, and frankly kind of messy play like Purpose. That doesn't always pay off; plenty of great plays don't do gangbusters business, especially without crucial Tony support. But in its specialized and half-accidental way, Broadway is currently doing a great job of offering material for a variety of demographics. Theater and film will always be an apples-to-oranges comparison – in price, presentation, time commitment, and a host of other elements. But both can be, at their best, habit-forming. Right now, Broadway has the big stars, variety of material, and reliable spectacle that used to keep multiplexes full.

Disney Hits Box Office Highs with Lilo & Stitch - Is DIS Stock a Buy Now?
Disney Hits Box Office Highs with Lilo & Stitch - Is DIS Stock a Buy Now?

Globe and Mail

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Globe and Mail

Disney Hits Box Office Highs with Lilo & Stitch - Is DIS Stock a Buy Now?

The Walt Disney Company's (DIS) hit movie ' Lilo & Stitch ' made box office highs on Memorial Day weekend. So, is DIS stock a buy here? Yes - a quick look at its strong free cash flow profile and revenue forecasts shows it could be 24% or so undervalued, worth over $139 per share. DIS is at $112.54 in midday trading on Tuesday, May 27. That is well up from recent lows but only slightly lower than 6-month highs. On May 26, Rotten Tomatoes reported that Lilo & Stitch ' Roars to Highest Memorial Day Weekend Ever.' It is estimated to have grossed $183 million for the long weekend, beating out Paramount's 'Mission: Impossible' film. That implies Disney's cash flow strength seen last quarter could continue this quarter and the fiscal year ending Sept. 2025. This article will look at this. Free Cash Flow Estimates On May 7, Disney reported that its fiscal Q2 ended March 29, revenue was up 7% YoY, and it generated 15% higher operating income. More importantly, its free cash flow (FCF) and FCF margins (i.e., FCF/revenue) surged, as seen in the table below (taken from page 3 of its quarterly earnings release). This shows that FCF was up over double in the quarter, and its FCF margins almost doubled to 20.7%. Moreover, for the past 6 months, it converted 11.65% of revenue into free cash flow. We can use that to estimate its FCF going forward. For example, analysts now expect revenue for this FY ending Sept. 30, 2025, will rise by 2.8% from $92.5 billion last year to $95.11 billion. In addition, forecasts for the next fiscal year are for +5.1% higher revenue of $99.98 billion (almost $100 billion). If it keeps generating hits like Lilo & Stitch, that could happen. That implies that Disney will be on a next 12-month (NTM) run rate revenue of about $97.5 billion. So, if the company can keep generating an FCF margin between 12% and 20% (average of 16%) over that period, here is the FCF forecast: $97.5 billion x 16% FCF margin = $15.6 billion FCF As a result, DIS stock could be worth significantly more. Let's estimate its price target. Target Price for DIS Stock For example, using a 5.0% FCF yield metric (i.e., which assumes that 100% of FCF is paid out to shareholders and the market gives the stock a 5% dividend yield), DIS stock is worth much more than its price today. Let's see how that works. This means that we take the FCF estimate and divide it by 5% (which is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal, or 20x): $15.6 b FCF x 20 = $312 billion market cap That is 54% higher than today's market cap of $202 billion. In other words, DIS stock is worth 54% more or $112.54 x 1.54 = $173 per share However, just to be conservative, let's scale back our parameters. Let's assume that FCF margins stay low at 12.5% and the company generates lower FCF: 0.125 x $97.5 billion NTM revenue = $12.19 billion FCF Next, using a lower FCF multiple of just 18.2 times (i.e., a FCF yield of 5.50%): $12.19b FCF x 18.2 = $221.9 billion mkt cap That is just 10% higher than today's $202 billion market valuation. It means the target price would be $123.79 per share. Expected Return. So, on average, that implies that Disney's valuation could range between $222 billion and $312 billion, or $124 to $173 p/sh (i.e., an average of $148.50). However, the expected return might be lower if we weight the lower target price higher. For example, let's say there is a 2/3rds likelihood DIS stock is worth $123 vs. a 1/3rd chance it's worth $173: $123 x 0.667 = $82.04 + $173 x 0.333 = $57.61 = Target Price = $139.65 Expected Return = $139.65 / $112.54 -1 = 1.24 -1 = +24% Summary So, assuming Disney generates FCF margins this year and next of between 12% and 20% and weighting that possibility heavier on the lower side, an investor can expect around a 24% return investing in DIS stock today at over $139 per share Analysts tend to agree with this target price. For example, Yahoo! Finance reports that 31 analysts have an average price of $123.90. Similarly, Barchart's mean survey is for 125.73. which tracks recent analyst recommendations, shows that the average of 27 analysts is $129.41 per share. That is +15% higher than today's price. The bottom line here is that DIS still looks undervalued, using a FCF and FCF margin analysis, a FCY yield valuation metric, expected return analysis, and also analysts' price targets.

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