After ‘Snow White’ Disaster, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Races to Record-Breaking Success!
Disney’s live-action remakes have long sparked a mix of anticipation and controversy among fans. While many love the nostalgic feeling that comes from revisiting classic animated films in a new format, others have questioned Disney’s heavy reliance on remakes instead of introducing fresh, original content.
Despite the criticism, it’s hard to deny that many of these remakes, such as The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017), have raked in billions at the box office, proving there’s still a demand for these reimagined tales.
Related: Remakes and Sequels: Disney Films Aim for Comeback in 2025
But not all remakes are created equal, and the release of Disney’s Snow White (2025) live-action remake highlighted just how tricky this strategy can be.
While some movies soar, others fall flat—and unfortunately, Snow White was one of the latter. After a disappointing reception at the box office, it’s safe to say that Disney has experienced a rough patch with some of its live-action reimaginings. The movie’s underperformance raised questions about the future of live-action remakes, with some speculating whether Disney’s magic had begun to fade.
But as it turns out, one new live-action remake is here to prove that the studio’s potential is far from over.
Related: Bob Iger Is Hopeful About Disney’s Future Despite Recent ‘Snow White’ Bomb
Disney’s highly anticipated Lilo & Stitch live-action remake, based on the beloved 2002 animated film, is set to hit theaters on May 23, 2025. While initial concerns arose about how the studio would transform Stitch into a believable CGI character, Disney has managed to ease fans’ fears with engaging marketing and preview material.
It appears the Lilo & Stitch remake is already set to do big things, breaking records before it even hits the screen.
Pre-Sale Numbers Are Through the Roof
On May 6, 2025, pre-sale tickets for Lilo & Stitch went on sale, and Disney CEO Bob Iger couldn’t help but notice the massive buzz surrounding the film. “Tracking is enormous,” Iger said, expressing optimism for the film’s success. But just how big are those numbers?
According to reports, Lilo & Stitch has already smashed pre-sale records for PG-rated movies in 2025.
In fact, Lilo & Stitch has surpassed all other 2025 PG-rated films in terms of first-day advance ticket sales on Fandango, a list that includes high-profile films such as A Minecraft Movie, Snow White, Dog Man, and Paddington in Peru. What makes this especially impressive is that some of these films had bigger expectations and built momentum in the weeks leading up to their release, while Lilo & Stitch was able to break records right out of the gate.
Per Deadline, Lilo & Stitch has the second-best pre-sale numbers for any Disney live-action remake, falling only behind The Lion King (2019). This puts the film in excellent company and speaks to the strong interest in the remake, which is likely to continue growing as more fans flock to theaters when the movie officially opens.
Related: VIDEO: Stitch Turns the Tables in Disney’s Latest Live-Action Campaign
A Strong Memorial Day Weekend Forecast
The hype around Lilo & Stitch isn’t just about the pre-sale numbers. With the movie set to premiere over the Memorial Day Weekend, Disney is anticipating a big opening, and many are forecasting it will earn upwards of $120 million over the four-day holiday.
Memorial Day weekend has historically been a tough period for films, making this projection even more exciting. If Lilo & Stitch can exceed expectations and deliver during a notoriously challenging time, it will be another significant victory for Disney.
The film’s ensemble cast includes 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 animated movie will be pleased to hear that Chris Sanders, who voiced Stitch in the 2002 film and co-wrote the original, will return to voice the iconic character in the live-action version.
As the clock ticks down to Lilo & Stitch‘s May 23 release, all eyes are on Disney to see if this live-action remake will become a true summer blockbuster.
With the release of Lilo & Stitch just around the corner, the excitement is building. Are you planning to see the movie opening weekend, or will you wait for it to stream on Disney+? If you’re already set to see it on the big screen, don’t forget to grab your tickets early to avoid missing out on this record-breaking release.
What are you most excited about in Lilo & Stitch? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
