Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch made history this Memorial Day weekend. The film earned $183 million in the U.S. and $341.7 million worldwide, setting a new Memorial Day opening record at the box office.
The movie beat out Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning, which made $77 million in the U.S. during the same four-day weekend. This marks a major win for Disney, especially with the live-action remake of a 2002 classic.
While the original Lilo & Stitch had a modest opening back in 2002, the new version shows how much the franchise has grown. Over the years, Lilo & Stitch merchandise has earned Disney more than $2.5 billion. The franchise is one of Disney’s top-selling brands and a fan favorite across generations.
Streaming numbers also show strong interest. The Lilo & Stitch catalog has driven over 546 million hours viewed on Disney+, with the original film alone crossing 280 million hours.
Marketing played a big role in this success. Stitch appeared in ads during the Super Bowl and even took over promos for other Disney films. A campaign focused on friendship, family, and fun helped bring both nostalgia and excitement to moviegoers. The film’s emotional message and tropical theme appealed to families and young adults alike.
Disney’s creative promotions included Stitch-themed plane wraps, Snapchat filters, TikTok dance trends, and even live appearances at theaters with animatronic Stitch models. The soundtrack also performed well, led by the hit song “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride.”
The audience turnout showed strong support from younger viewers and women. About 79% of the audience was under 35, and 63% were women, giving the movie a high 93% rating on PostTrak.
With a production budget of $100 million, the movie has already passed the breakeven point. Analysts say it only needed $205 million globally to break even thanks to strong merchandise and streaming support.
In summary, Lilo & Stitch has become a surprise box office giant, proving that some Disney classics never go out of style. Its record-breaking debut also signals a strong start to the summer movie season, which is now expected to hit $4.2 billion in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales.
