Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake is making waves at the box office, achieving remarkable success during its theatrical run. As reported by Deadline, the film has amassed an impressive 7.5 million globally, positioning it as the highest-grossing MPA film of the year. With this achievement, Lilo & Stitch has surpassed A Minecraft Movie, which earned 4.9 million, and now trails only behind the Chinese animated feature Ne Zha 2, which has grossed .8 billion. In terms of domestic earnings, A Minecraft Movie remains in the lead with 3.9 million, while Lilo & Stitch has generated 3.7 million in the United States thus far.
The Path to Billion
Although the momentum for Lilo & Stitch has begun to taper off, the film is still poised to become the first MPA title to surpass the billion mark this year. If it achieves this milestone, it will join the ranks of other Disney live-action remakes that have reached similar heights, including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Alice in Wonderland.
Launching over Memorial Day weekend, Lilo & Stitch debuted with a robust 2.6 million domestically during the four-day holiday period. Its impressive performance was complemented by a strong showing alongside Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, contributing to a record-breaking holiday weekend. In response to this success, Disney has announced plans for a live-action sequel to Lilo & Stitch, although a release date has yet to be confirmed.
This film marks a significant box office triumph for Disney in 2025, a year that has otherwise been challenging for the studio. Both Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts underperformed, while the live-action Snow White remake and the original Pixar film Elio faced disappointing receptions, with Elio recording the lowest opening weekend in Pixar’s history.
As Lilo & Stitch continues its journey toward the billion threshold, it stands a strong chance of emerging as the highest-grossing film of the summer. July will introduce formidable competitors, including high-profile studio releases, but early indications suggest that Jurassic World Rebirth is already underperforming. Meanwhile, The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman are expected to have robust opening weekends, yet Lilo & Stitch may prove too successful to be easily surpassed. The film’s ability to maintain strong box office legs will be crucial; with Jurassic World, Superman, and Fantastic Four all targeting similar audiences, their long-term performance could be affected. Notably, Superman is likely to divert ticket sales from Rebirth, potentially impacting Jurassic World’s hold on the market.
For three consecutive weeks, Lilo & Stitch held the top spot at the box office before facing competition from How to Train Your Dragon. Even if the upcoming July releases turn a profit, Lilo & Stitch could still reign supreme among summer offerings. Looking ahead, the anticipated release of Avatar: Fire and Ash later this year poses a potential challenge, as James Cameron’s previous Avatar films have each grossed over billion worldwide. Fire and Ash is expected to be a major holiday season release, and it wouldn’t be surprising if it ultimately claims the top position on the 2025 charts by the end of its run.
