This is unexpected.
Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch is set to debut on May 23, 2025, following a surprising shift from its initial Disney+ release. The project, now slated for a theatrical rollout, is helmed by Marcel the Shell with Shoes On director Dean Fleischer Camp, who brings his unique sensibility to the 2002 animated favorite.
Starring newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo, the film also sees the return of Chris Sanders as the mischievous alien Stitch, a role he originated in the animated classic. The cast includes Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Lilo’s older sister Nani, Kaipo Dudoit as love interest David Kawena, and Zach Galifianakis as the eccentric Dr. Jumba Jookiba. Other additions to the ensemble include Billy Magnussen as Agent Pleakley, Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, and Hannah Waddingham as the Grand Councilwoman.
The decision to move Lilo & Stitch from Disney+ to the big screen in August 2024 follows a similar trajectory to Moana 2 (2024), which also made the leap to theaters mid-production. The strategic shift has triggered a full-scale marketing blitz, with some even suggesting that the campaign is more cohesive than the one that preceded Disney’s recent Snow White (2025) remake.
From a highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX TV spot to striking posters that show Stitch playfully invading classic Disney artwork like Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Aladdin (1992), Disney has made it clear that Lilo & Stitch is the centerpiece of their summer 2025 slate.
Recently, the film’s official rating was revealed, earning a PG classification for “action, peril, and thematic elements,” closely mirroring the original animated film’s PG rating for “mild sci-fi action.” With just weeks to go until its release, projections are looking strong for the movie, with tracking data suggesting it could earn more than $100 million domestically in its opening weekend.
According to Deadline, Lilo & Stitch is poised for a $100M+ three-day debut over Memorial Day weekend, with early numbers indicating its appeal is already surpassing even Marvel’s Thunderbolts* (2025), set to debut earlier that month.
In comparison, Snow White, which was released just weeks ago, has faced a disappointing box office performance. Despite a star-studded cast including Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, and years of headlines surrounding its troubled production, the live-action remake of Disney’s 1937 animated classic has grossed only $182 million globally. The film’s domestic opening was a lackluster $43 million, far from its reported budget of $270-$300 million. Critics have also been unkind, with the film holding a meager 40% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
With Snow White’s lackluster reception in mind, Disney is looking to Lilo & Stitch as a potential savior for its live-action remake strategy. However, it’s also noteworthy that this may mark the last of Disney’s live-action remakes for some time. According to reports, the studio has pulled the plug on the planned Tangled (2010) remake, directed by Michael Gracey, in the wake of Snow White‘s performance.
Whether Lilo & Stitch can exceed expectations at the box office and deliver a much-needed win for Disney remains to be seen. One thing is certain: all eyes are now on Stitch as he prepares to make his grand return to the big screen.
How do you feel about the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch? Will it surpass Snow White’s underwhelming box office performance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
