Disney's $1 Billion Win!

Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch has officially crossed the US $1 billion mark at the global box office, cementing its status as one of the most successful films of 2025. According to Box Office Mojo, as of writing, the film has grossed a total of US $1,001,003,033 worldwide so far, with US $416,203,033 (41.6%) from domestic theaters and US $584,800,000 (58.4%) from international markets.

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and starring newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo—alongside Chris Sanders reprising his role as the voice of Stitch—this family-friendly hit has resonated with audiences globally, delivering a much-needed win for Disney and CEO Bob Iger.

Originally slated for release on Disney+, Lilo & Stitch was redirected to theaters—a decision that proved both a theatrical triumph and exceptionally lucrative. Produced for approximately US $100 million, with an additional US $75 million spent on marketing, the film roared into theaters over the four-day Memorial Day weekend in May 2025. It grossed an astonishing US $182.6 million domestically and US $361.3 million worldwide over that opening frame, shattering the previous Memorial Day weekend record.

The film’s box office performance stands out against Disney’s recent challenges. Titles such as Snow White (US $205 million worldwide), Captain America: Brave New World (US $415 million currently), and Disney Pixar’s Elio ($120 million currently) have underperformed, making Lilo & Stitch a critical bright spot for the House of Mouse—and the first Hollywood release of 2025 to reach US $1 billion globally.

Lilo & Stitch has entertained both kids and adults with its bright, fun, and adventurous retelling of the beloved 2002 animated classic. Free of overt political messaging, the film also benefited from solid storytelling, the mischievous charm of Stitch, and a lack of competition in the family-friendly film space.

Lilo & Stitch has earned a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) has garnered praise for its animation—particularly for rendering Stitch’s signature bright blue fur, vibrant Pantone shades that can be difficult to work with in CGI.

What’s next? A sequel! Disney is wasting no time capitalising on their, nowadays, rare success. On June 26, 2025—celebrated as “626 Day” in honor of Stitch’s experiment number—the studio officially announced Lilo & Stitch 2. With eight-year-old Maia Kealoha’s age in mind, the sequel is expected to be fast-tracked to ensure she can reprise her role as Lilo before outgrowing it. Beyond the box office, Disney anticipates substantial revenue from merchandise and streaming deals, further amplifying the franchise’s profitability.