After Historic Success in Theaters, Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Hits Streaming Charts
Nearly a quarter-century after his animated debut, Stitch is proving to be just as popular in live-action. Originally released in 2002, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch quickly captured hearts with its heartfelt story, vibrant Hawaiian backdrop, and a blue alien unlike any other. Helmed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, the traditionally animated film followed a young girl named Lilo who adopts a chaotic, genetically-engineered alien named Stitch—posing as a dog—and together they explore the Hawaiian value of “ʻohana,” or family.
With a signature Elvis Presley soundtrack and a refreshingly unique tone, the original film went on to inspire several follow-ups and a TV show, solidifying its place in Disney’s animation pantheon.
Fast-forward 23 years, and Disney has introduced a new generation to the world of Lilo and her chaotic companion through a live-action/CG hybrid remake directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On). The reboot stars newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo, with Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, and Courtney B. Vance rounding out the cast. Original co-director Chris Sanders reprises his vocal role as Stitch.
While staying true to the original’s emotional roots, the remake sparked discussions over casting choices, cultural authenticity, and some narrative adjustments—part of Disney’s ongoing efforts to reintroduce its classics to contemporary audiences.
Originally destined for Disney+, the film’s strong potential prompted a strategic shift. Following the billion-dollar success of 2024’s Moana 2—another movie that transitioned from streaming to theatrical—Disney opted for a full theatrical rollout. That bet appears to be paying off.
Lilo & Stitch has now earned $957 million worldwide, pushing past Warner Bros.’s A Minecraft Movie ($954 million). Riding high on its theatrical run and Stitch’s massive appeal across multiple platforms, Disney officially greenlit a sequel in late June.
As Deadline reported, Stitch remains a powerhouse for Disney.
“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.”
That popularity is also fueling the animated classic’s resurgence on streaming. From June 2 through June 8, the 2002 version climbed into Nielsen’s Top 10 most-watched movies, pulling in 236,000 minutes of viewing time. It trailed recent titles such as The Accountant 2 (Amazon), Captain America: Brave New World, and the animated hit 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 shared.
A streaming debut for the live-action version is expected in late August or early September. Given its box office run and ongoing fan demand, don’t be surprised if it rockets to No. 1 once it lands on Disney+. Even Snow White (2025), plagued by controversy, managed that feat—so Stitch has every reason to surpass it.
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