While Hollywood is still coping with fallout from the pandemic, this summer has been one of relief. Yes, moviegoers are back watching in theaters.

Preferably in large formats.

Okay, this was not a blockbuster-style summer as when “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” ruled. Still, the season’s biggest blockbuster is Disney’s live action remake of “Lilo & Stitch,” a spectacular showing for this 20-odd years later update.

The original animated “Lilo” was hardly a blockbuster.  Yet all the elements – a familiar title, little competition – converged to give Disney bragging rights with its $421 million domestic gross and a mighty $1 billion in global sales.

Warner Bros.’ reboot of its DC Comics division fielded a hit with a new “Superman.” The Kryptonian immigrant soared to $322 million domestic box-office ($562 million global total), just ahead of “Jurassic World: Rebirth” with its $321 million (and a very impressive $771million global).

What connects this hit-making trio? They all function as comfort food: Familiar? Yes, but still new. Upbeat? Certainly, despite often violent action.

It’s a big drop to summer’s 4th place winner: The live action remake (like “Lilo”) “How to Train Your Dragon” which earned $261 million. In 5th place, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” with $212 million.

The well-reviewed “Fantastic Four” reboot of what Marvel dubs its First Family failed to dominate. It ranks as yet another Marvel box-office disappointment because it could not expand from its core young male audience to attract families to what is, unusually for Marvel superheroes, a family story. After spring’s equally disappointing “Thunderbolts*” box-office, will Marvel slash budgets and no longer make $200-250 million movies?

Notable for not making the Top 5 is Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” which at nearly $500 million ranks as one of the most expensive movie ever made. “Reckoning” marks the end of the series with Cruise as star and his “I do my own stunts” heyday.

Surprisingly, Warner Bros. soared not just with “Superman” but with the sleeper hit of the year, “Final Destination: Bloodlines.” This inexpensive franchise reboot (with no stars!) made an astounding $138 million at the domestic box-office ($285 million global total).

As for Brad Pitt’s high-risk $200 million racing drama “F1: The Movie,” it’s easily summer’s biggest high-stakes gamble.  “F1” opened well, especially with a subject that’s never held much appeal for Americans.

Even though its plot may be a bit absurd with Pitt as the oldest winning Formula One driver ever, the film (from the director of the sleeper hit “Top Gun: Maverick” Joseph Kosinski) grossed $175 million domestically (a global total of $555 million). Not a blockbuster perhaps but, as they say, it got the job done.

Tom Cruise hangs from a biplane in “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.” (Paramount Pictures and Skydance.