With Snow White (2025) now behind them, Disney is setting its sights on the next major title in its live-action lineup: Lilo & Stitch (2025).
The reimagining of the beloved 2002 animated film is directed by Marcel the Shell with Shoes On filmmaker Dean Fleischer Camp and will open in theaters on May 23, 2025. This marks a return to the big screen for Stitch, with Chris Sanders reprising his role as the voice of the chaos-loving alien. Joining him is newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo.
The cast also features Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Nani, Kaipo Dudoit as David Kawena, Zach Galifianakis as Dr. Jumba Jookiba, Billy Magnussen as Agent Pleakley, Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham as the Grand Councilwoman.
Initially developed as a Disney+ exclusive, Lilo & Stitch changed course during production—mirroring Moana 2 (2024)—and is now heading to cinemas instead. That pivot was made official in August 2024, and has since led to an aggressive promotional campaign that some have noted feels more streamlined than the rollout for Snow White.
Disney hasn’t held back. Between a splashy Super Bowl LIX TV spot and cheeky posters featuring Stitch invading iconic Disney classics like Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Aladdin (1992), the marketing has made it clear: this summer belongs to Stitch.
A new update came recently with the film’s MPAA rating. As shared by Film Ratings, the movie is rated PG for “action, peril, and thematic elements.” That places it in similar territory to the original film, which was rated PG for “mild sci-fi action.”
And the numbers are starting to reflect that buzz. According to Deadline, the film is tracking for a massive Memorial Day opening, with projections forecasting a three-day domestic total north of $100 million. “Six weekend-in-advance tracking has hit for both movies on Quorum, with Lilo & Stitch eyeing a $100M+ 3-day opening and [Mission: Impossible 8] eyeing a record 3-day for the franchise, well north of 2018’s Mission: Impossible–Fallout‘s $61M.”
Deadline also notes that Lilo & Stitch appears to be outpacing Marvel’s upcoming Thunderbolts* (2025), which hits theaters May 2. “Overall total awareness for Lilo & Stitch (62) and M: I 8 (59) outstrip that of Thunderbolts* (37). Among those who’ll watch these movies in theater versus home, both Lilo and M: I 8 at 50 apiece are ahead of the MCU movie about ragtag heroes at 42,” Deadline reports. “The 3-day projection makes sense for Lilo & Stitch since it’s Disney’s second most-viewed live-action trailer at 158M.”
This comes as Snow White continues to underperform at the global box office. Despite being directed by Marc Webb, scripted by Erin Cressida Wilson, and headlined by Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, the film has struggled both critically and commercially. A month after its debut, the live-action adaptation has earned just $182 million globally, with only $82 million of that total coming from North American markets, per Box Office Mojo. Its domestic opening sat at $43 million, against an estimated budget of $270-300 million.
Reception hasn’t helped. The film currently holds a 40% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and the response to its casting, story changes, and portrayal of legacy characters—especially the prince and the dwarfs—has been mixed at best.
That lack of momentum may have broader consequences. In the aftermath of Snow White’s performance, reports suggest Disney has scrapped its planned Tangled (2010) remake from The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey. Though casting had yet to be announced, signs pointed to the project moving forward before it was shelved.
Which raises the question: could Lilo & Stitch be the last of Disney’s live-action reimaginings for a while?
Let us know what you think about Disney’s direction. Are you excited for Lilo & Stitch, and do you think it can outperform Snow White when it hits theaters this May?
