More than two decades after first delighting audiences, Lilo & Stitch is having a major cultural moment all over again.
The 2002 original, directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, blended heartfelt storytelling with offbeat humor and a richly authentic Hawaiian setting. Anchored by the tale of a lonely girl and the chaotic alien she mistakes for a dog, the animated feature was a critical and commercial success—thanks in part to its emotional depth and an Elvis-heavy soundtrack that gave it a distinct rhythm all its own.
Now, Disney has given Lilo & Stitch a live-action refresh. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), the updated film introduces newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo. Zach Galifianakis steps into the role of Pleakley, with Billy Magnussen and Courtney B. Vance joining the cast. Chris Sanders returns to voice the beloved Stitch.
While the adaptation keeps the heart of the original intact, it’s also inspired fresh debate—particularly around casting, cultural representation, and its decision to tweak the film’s original ending. Still, the update aims to honor its source while connecting with younger audiences discovering the story for the first time.
Interestingly, the project was initially developed for Disney+. But after Moana 2 (2024) shattered expectations with a $1 billion theatrical run, the company shifted its strategy. Like Moana, Lilo & Stitch headed to the big screen—and it’s paying off in a big way.
The live-action film has now pulled in $957 million globally, edging out Warner Bros.’s A Minecraft Movie ($954 million) and making it one of 2025’s major box office hits. Thanks to this success—and the unstoppable popularity of Stitch as a character—Disney announced a sequel in June.
As Deadline pointed out, Stitch is still a key figure in Disney’s broader brand portfolio.
“The Lilo & Stitch franchise in series and the original pic has driven over 579 million hours on Disney+ around the globe,” the outlet reported. “The original Lilo & Stitch has accounted for more than 306M hours of viewing on the OTT service. Disney+ global. Retail sales for Stitch have grown from $0.2B in 2019 to $2.6B in 2024, representing a ten-fold increase.”
The success of the new film has also reignited interest in the 2002 version. Between June 2 and June 8, the original Lilo & Stitch cracked Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming movies, notching 236,000 minutes of viewing time. It followed major hits like The Accountant 2 on Prime Video, Captain America: Brave New World, and last year’s animated favorite The Wild Robot.
“The original animated film, Lilo & Stitch, continues to get a boost in viewership following the release of the new live-action version, highlighting the benefit of the large back catalog of titles available on Disney+,” What’s On Disney Plus noted.
As for when audiences can catch the live-action adaptation on Disney+, an exact date hasn’t been confirmed, but late August or early September seems likely. Based on past trends, expect it to climb straight to the top of the charts—especially if Snow White (2025), despite all its production woes, managed to do just that.
How does the new Lilo & Stitch stack up for you? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
