Lilo & Stitchhas become a massive hit at the box office, defying a recent trend with Disney’s live-action remakes. Disney has an extensive catalog of amazing animated films that audiences have loved for many decades. Recently, the studio has taken advantage of that nostalgia, producing live-action remakes of these films that allow large crowds to relive their childhood favorites. Many of these films have been wildly profitable for Disney, includingAlice in Wonderland,Beauty and the Beast,Aladdin, andThe Lion Kingwhich all grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
However, several ofDisney’s recent remakes have struggled to find the same success. 2023’sThe Little Mermaidmade $569 million worldwide, which sounds like a lot, but on a budget of $355.1 million, it failed to make a profit.Snow Whitewas an overwhelming disappointment for Disney, only grossing $205.4 million worldwide. However, the studio’s latest remake is changing that streak. Despite mixed reactions to several of the film’s changes,Lilo & Stitchis setting box office recordsand there are several reasons for the film’s success.
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch Became A Global Box Office Hit
Lilo & Stitch Beats A Tom Cruise Movie In Its Opening Weekend
2025 Memorial Day weekend was competitive at the box office, primarily due to the two heavy hitters:Lilo & StitchandMission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Domestically, the combined box office was the best of all time for the holiday weekend, reaching $322 million. However,Lilo & Stitchwas the main box office winnerwith a four-day domestic debut of $182.7 million, beatingThe Final Reckoningfor the #1 spot. Currently, the film has grossed over $392 million worldwide, already passingSnow Whiteand the original film’s total box office.
Lilo & Stitch’s four-day opening weekend also set the record for the best Memorial Day weekend debut, beating another Tom Cruise film,Top Gun: Maverick, which made $160.5 million.Maverickfinished its box office run with $1.49 billion worldwide, meaningLilo & Stitchis currently on a good pace to cross the billion-dollar mark. Whether that happens depends on the film’s legs and how much it drops in upcoming weeks. However, the film only cost $100 million to make, meaning Disney has a major success on its hands, even if it finishes under $1 billion.
Disney Knows How Popular Stitch Is With Adults That Grew Up With Him
Image via Disney
The2000s wasn’t Disney’s best era of animation, but it did produceLilo & Stitch.Stitch has become one of Disney’s most popular and profitable characters, with plenty of merchandise sold at Disney Parks. Not only did people watch the animated film, but there were also several sequels and a spinoff TV series. Before this film came out, it was easy to see how excited many adults were to revisit this film. Many TikTok users posted videos of themselves dancing to songs from the original film, like “He Mele No Lilo” and “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride.”
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, “the general audience made up 56 percent of ticket buyers,” with audiencesages 18 to 24 making up “32 percent of the non-family audience,” followed by ages 25 to 34 at 33 percent. While kids currently enjoy Stitch, it’s clear that the character has a multi-generational impact and his popularity is only growing thanks to the new film. The power of nostalgia is real, and millennials and Gen Z will show up to the theaters to revisit their childhoods.
The Original Lilo & Stitch Movie Also Came At The Perfect Time To Target Two Major Generations
Two Generations Grew Up With Stitch
TheanimatedLilo & Stitchdebuted in 2002. While it was a modest hit at the box office, it struck a chord with many young viewers. While Stitch is very marketable to kids since he’s cute, fluffy, and has a unique voice, the film has many other redeeming qualities. It has a beautiful message about family (Ohana), includes a distinct world of aliens, and educates many viewers about Hawaiian culture while celebrating it. It’s not surprising that it became so memorable, and it reached many generations through its storytelling.
Older millennials could connect to the film’s wholesome message about family, while younger millennials and Gen Z were entertained by Stitch’s chaotic antics.
2002 was a perfect time to come out, asthe last group of millennials and the earliest group of Gen Z both grew up with it. Older millennials could connect to the film’s wholesome message about family, while younger millennials and Gen Z were entertained by Stitch’s chaotic antics. Lilo is another character many kids could relate to since she behaved like and experienced many of the same problems as a normal kid. The film also had catchy music with a soundtrack that included traditional Hawaiian tracks and a collection of Elvis' biggest hits.
Despite The Mixed Response To The Changes, Lilo & Stitch Is Clearly A Major Hit
Audiences Are Divided About How The Film Changes The Story
Lilo & Stitchreceived mostly positive reactions from audiences and critics. It currently holds a 69% critic score anda 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It also received an A CinemaScore. However, there is a fair amount of controversy regarding several of the film’s changes. Firstly, the film removed Captain Gantu, the main antagonist of the first film, andgave that role to Jumba, Stitch’s creator, who redeems himself in the original film. The film also has a drastically different ending where Nani gives Lilo to her neighbors so she can study marine biology in California.
Many call this new ending disrespectful to the film’s message about Ohana, while others believe it’s a more realistic conclusion for a live-action environment.Regardless of how people feel about this new ending or the villain changes, Disney still has their money, and the film will be a massive success by the end of its theatrical run. The mixed reception could hurt the film’s overall box office since some people may not see it again or recommend it to others. However,Lilo & Stitch’s low production budget means Disney will see a major profit from this film and open the possibility of sequels.
