For years, Memorial Day weekend has been something of a puzzle for Hollywood. On paper, it looks like a perfect opportunity: a long weekend, summer just beginning, kids out of school, and families gathering. But for whatever reason, this time frame has historically underperformed at the box office—especially for studios banking on big openers.
And while other holidays like Fourth of July or Christmas tend to deliver reliable hits, Memorial Day has developed a reputation as a high-stakes gamble. Studios have learned the hard way that releasing a major film over the weekend doesn’t guarantee packed theaters. Audiences often have other priorities: cookouts, beach days, sports, or simply unplugging.
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So when Disney locked in the holiday for its live-action Lilo & Stitch, the move raised more than a few eyebrows.
The project was already carrying a lot of weight. Ever since the 2018 announcement that the 2002 animated favorite would be remade, opinions have been mixed. The original was quirky, heartfelt, and beloved. Stitch had become a fan-favorite character, but many worried that a live-action version—especially one with heavy CGI—could turn out awkward or overly sanitized.
Those concerns weren’t unfounded. The film faced backlash early on, including criticism over the removal of fan-favorite character Captain Gantu and the decision to cut scenes where Pleakley dresses in disguise.
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Yet even with the controversy, the promotional rollout sparked renewed interest. The trailers showcased a faithful adaptation and an adorable version of Stitch that won over skeptics.
Over the four-day weekend, Lilo & Stitch is projected to bring in $183 million at the domestic box office and $353 million globally. If those figures are confirmed, the film will eclipse Top Gun: Maverick as the biggest Memorial Day release in history—a stunning result for a movie that faced such a skeptical lead-up.
It’s not just families driving ticket sales, either. The film is reaching across generations in a way few modern Disney releases have managed to do.
“But the nostalgia for the original animated film is making it a four-quadrant hit, with non-family general audiences comprising 56% of the opening weekend audience while millennials age 25-34 — the demographic that saw the original as kids — are the biggest age cohort at 30%.”
That kind of demographic breakdown is gold for a studio still recovering from a string of recent disappointments. Just two months ago, Disney’s live-action Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remake failed to connect with audiences and may ultimately cost the company over $100 million.
Related: Disney Plans Expansion for ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Franchise With New Projects
While Thunderbolts, released in early May, performed better with $350 million so far, Lilo & Stitch is already on track to surpass it — and in just a matter of days.
If these projections hold, Lilo & Stitch will become Disney’s highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and a rare example of a remake that not only lives up to the original’s legacy, but also writes a new one.
What do you think — is Lilo & Stitch Disney’s comeback story? Did you expect it to succeed? And are live-action remakes finally finding their footing? Let us know in the comments!
