Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch crashed into theaters like a chaotic little alien, and boy, did it make waves! Over the Memorial Day weekend, the remake of the beloved 2002 animated classic raked in a jaw-dropping $183 million domestically and $341.7 million globally, snagging the title of the biggest Memorial Day weekend opener ever, per The Hollywood Reporter. Move over, Tom Cruise—this blue fuzzball stole the show.
A Nostalgic Hit with Family Appeal
So, what’s got everyone flocking to theaters? The film, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (the guy behind Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), sticks close to the heart of the original. It follows Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl (played by newcomer Maia Kealoha), who adopts a mischievous “dog” named Stitch—actually a fugitive alien (voiced by original creator Chris Sanders). Alongside Lilo’s big sister Nani (Sydney Agudong), they navigate family struggles, extraterrestrial chaos, and the power of “ohana” (that’s Hawaiian for family, if you’re new to the party). The cast also includes heavy hitters like Zach Galifianakis as Jumba and Billy Magnussen as Pleakley, with Courtney B. Vance as the no-nonsense Cobra Bubbles.
The movie’s mix of nostalgia, heart, and family-friendly vibes clearly hit the sweet spot. With a $100 million budget—pretty modest for a Disney blockbuster—it’s already outgrossed other recent remakes like Snow White, which fizzled at $204 million globally against a heftier $250 million price tag.
Beating the Competition
Lilo & Stitch didn’t just surf—it soared past some serious competition. It outdid Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which pulled in a still-impressive $77 million domestically over the same weekend. Together, these films powered the box office to a record-breaking Memorial Day haul, proving people are ready to get back to the movies. Compared to 2002, when the original Lilo & Stitch lost out to Cruise’s Minority Report ($35.2 million vs. $35.6 million), this is a major glow-up for our favorite alien. The 2002 film ended with $145.7 million domestic and $273.1 million worldwide, and the remake’s already on track to top that.
Why It Worked
Disney knew they had a goldmine with Lilo & Stitch. The franchise is a merchandising juggernaut, pulling in over $2.5 billion in retail sales last year alone. Add to that over half a billion hours streamed on Disney+, and it’s no shock they greenlit this remake. The film leaned hard into Hawaii’s vibrant culture, with lush visuals and that core message of “ohana” that still tugs at heartstrings. Even with mixed reviews—some critics called it a “sanitized” take compared to the original’s raw charm—it’s clear audiences are eating it up. Posts on X show fans gushing over Maia Kealoha’s spot-on Lilo and the CGI Stitch looking just as lovable as his animated counterpart.
What’s Next?
With word-of-mouth buzzing and families still packing theaters, Lilo & Stitch could keep climbing. It’s already the second-biggest four-day holiday weekend opener ever, just behind 2018’s Black Panther ($242 million). If you’re itching to catch it, it’s in theaters now, with digital and Disney+ releases likely a few weeks out.
Source: THR