Disney’s new live-action movie Lilo & Stitch made a big splash at the box office over Memorial Day weekend. It earned $183 million in the U.S. alone and $341 million worldwide.
This is the highest Memorial Day weekend debut ever, beating last year’s Top Gun: Maverick. It also had the second-best four-day holiday opening after Black Panther in 2018.
Here are five main reasons why Lilo & Stitch did so well:
First, the movie brings back a popular story from the early 2000s. Many parents grew up watching the original cartoon and now take their kids to see the new version. This mix of old and new fans helped fill theaters.
Second, Stitch, the blue alien character, remains very popular. Disney sold $2.6 billion worth of Stitch toys and merchandise in 2024 alone. The movie also got many views on Disney+, keeping Stitch fresh in people’s minds.
Third, the movie is family-friendly and rated PG. Many families are looking for movies they can watch together. Other recent PG movies helped create excitement for Lilo & Stitch.
Fourth, Lilo & Stitch opened at the same time as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, starring Tom Cruise. Instead of hurting each other, both movies did well. Together, they helped the Memorial Day weekend box office reach a record $322 million.
Finally, Disney’s CEO Bob Iger is focusing on making fewer but better movies. After some recent failures, Lilo & Stitch is a success and shows that Disney’s new plan is working.
With strong ticket sales and a beloved character, Lilo & Stitch looks set to become one of Disney’s biggest hits.
