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Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch has made history this Memorial Day weekend, dancing its way to a record-breaking $183 million in the U.S. over four days, and $341.7 million globally. The film’s explosive debut outperformed Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning, which earned $77 million domestically, and marks a new high point for the beloved 2002 animated classic.
Signs of Disney’s confidence in Lilo & Stitch were evident as early as CinemaCon, where Stitch appeared in multiple Disney properties during a sizzle reel. Disney Global Distribution Boss Andrew Cripps even took the stage at Caesars Palace sporting a Stitch jacket, standing beside Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman—showcasing the brand’s full support.
Despite Disney’s stated intention to scale back live-action remakes, the enduring retail power of Lilo & Stitch proved irresistible. The franchise generated over $2.5 billion in consumer product sales in 2024 alone, part of Disney’s elite group of 11 evergreen IPs topping $1 billion annually.
Fueling the momentum, the original Lilo & Stitch has amassed over 546 million viewing hours on Disney+, with the 2002 film itself accounting for more than 280 million hours. This streaming success, coupled with strong millennial nostalgia and a surge in Gen Z engagement, made a live-action adaptation an obvious greenlight.
The marketing campaign was a full-throttle Stitch takeover. From a Super Bowl spot with 173 million views in 24 hours to viral cameos across Disney titles like Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Thunderbolts, Stitch became omnipresent. Custom campaigns included AR SnapChat filters, TikTok dance effects, and even Stitch-crashed Wheaties boxes.
In theaters, audiences were met with animatronic Stitch figures and themed events. A musical push featuring Iam Tongi performing “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” on American Idol boosted the soundtrack, while Disney playlists logged 100 million+ monthly streams.
Latino and Hispanic audiences were pivotal, representing 41% of ticket buyers. Disney activated “Experiment 626” events in select markets, mixing culture and community with hula dancers, lei-making, and sandcastles.
Produced for $100 million, the film has already surpassed its breakeven point. Analysts note Lilo & Stitch could break even at just $205 million worldwide thanks to its strong ancillary value, ensuring profitability even before crossing $410 million in pure box office terms.
As Stitch hula-dances into summer, Disney is once again proving that theatrical might be just the beginning—but it’s still the spark that lights the fire.
