Disney’s live-action remakes have long been a staple in the studio’s filmmaking strategy, yet they’ve often divided audiences. While these films attempt to capture the magic of beloved animated classics for a new generation, many fans have criticized Disney for relying too heavily on remakes instead of creating fresh content.
Despite some backlash, it’s hard to argue with the box office numbers—films like The Lion King (2019) and Aladdin (2019) have grossed billions, proving that the audience for these remakes is alive and well.
Related: Disney Pauses ‘Tangled’ Remake Following Backlash from ‘Snow White’ Fiasco
However, not every remake has found its footing, and Disney’s Snow White proved just how quickly a live-action adaptation can stumble.
Unfortunately, Snow White became one of Disney’s biggest disappointments, failing to meet expectations and leaving the studio with a significant financial loss. Amid this setback, many questioned whether Disney’s live-action remake era was coming to a close.
But as it turns out, one live-action remake is giving the studio new hope and offering a glimpse into the continued success of their iconic franchise reboots.
Related: Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Flops: Rare Warning Issued Over Box Office Disappointment
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, a live-action remake of the 2002 animated classic, is poised to become the next big success for the studio. Set to premiere on May 23, 2025, this film has already started making waves with impressive pre-sale numbers and growing anticipation.
Early Ticket Sales Set to Break Records
On May 6, 2025, pre-sale tickets for Lilo & Stitch became available, and the response has been nothing short of extraordinary. Disney CEO Bob Iger expressed his excitement over the numbers, stating, “tracking is enormous.”
The early signs are clear: Lilo & Stitch is primed to perform well at the box office, especially in the wake of Snow White‘s underperformance. The movie has already broken records for pre-sale ticket sales for PG-rated films in 2025.
Related: VIDEO: Stitch Brings the Mayhem to Disney’s Live-Action Promotion
According to Deadline, Lilo & Stitch achieved the best pre-sale numbers for a PG movie in 2025, surpassing other big-name releases like A Minecraft Movie, Snow White, Dog Man, and Paddington in Peru. What’s especially impressive is that Lilo & Stitch exceeded the first-day ticket sales of all PG-rated films in 2025, including movies that had more build-up in the months prior to release.
Additionally, the film is now the second-best pre-sale performer for any Disney live-action remake, trailing only behind The Lion King (2019). These impressive early numbers put Lilo & Stitch in elite company and point to a successful opening weekend for the film.
Memorial Day Weekend Forecast: A Strong Opening
With the Memorial Day weekend just ahead, Disney is hoping that Lilo & Stitch can continue its winning streak. Reports suggest that the movie is set to earn an impressive $120 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend. Given the notoriously tough competition in this window, achieving such a high figure would be a significant triumph for the remake.
The movie stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Agudong as Nani, Kaipo Dudoit as David, Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles, Zach Galifianakis as Jumba, and Billy Magnussen as Pleakley. Fans of the original film will also be excited to hear that Chris Sanders, who voiced Stitch in the animated version and co-wrote the original film, will return to voice the beloved character in the live-action remake.
If the pre-sale numbers are any indication, Lilo & Stitch is set to be a major success, potentially breaking new records for Disney live-action remakes.
With all the hype surrounding Lilo & Stitch, now is the perfect time to grab your tickets before they sell out. The film’s pre-sale numbers show that Disney has a hit on its hands, and fans are eager to experience this new version of a classic. Will you be joining the millions who will watch Lilo & Stitch in theaters this summer, or do you plan to wait until it arrives on Disney+? Either way, it’s clear that this remake is poised to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year.
What are you most excited about for Lilo & Stitch? Is it the nostalgia, the new CGI rendition of Stitch, or the star-studded cast? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know if you’ve already grabbed your tickets!
