Disney’s recent box office success with Lilo & Stitch (2025) has positioned the franchise for a possible expansion across the company’s theme parks.
After debuting as a live-action and CG hybrid, the film has become the highest-grossing Hollywood release worldwide in 2025. It’s a story of family and friendship, featuring Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Chris Sanders reprising his role as Stitch, that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, known for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, the live-action adaptation also stars Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, and Courtney B. Vance. Initially planned for Disney+, the project shifted to a wide theatrical release following the success of Moana 2, which exceeded expectations after a similar streaming-to-theater transition.
Audiences responded enthusiastically, propelling the film to $1.033 billion globally and surpassing Warner Bros.’ A Minecraft Movie ($957.7 million), according to Box Office Mojo. A sequel was announced in June, reinforcing Stitch’s growing presence across Disney’s media and merchandise platforms.
Streaming performance has mirrored theatrical success. Between June 2–8, 2025, Nielsen reported that the original 2002 Lilo & Stitch climbed into the Top 10 most-watched films on streaming platforms, accumulating 236,000 minutes of viewing. Deadline noted that the franchise has generated over 579 million hours on Disney+, with the original animated film accounting for 306 million hours alone. Stitch merchandise has followed a similar trajectory, growing from $0.2 billion in 2019 to $2.6 billion in 2024, and exceeding $4 billion in fiscal 2025 when including licensed products.
Disney+ confirmed the live-action film would arrive on the platform on September 3, 2025. The debut proved strong, drawing 14.3 million views within five days, making it the second-largest Disney live-action premiere on the service. Disney’s Q4 executive summary highlighted the cross-generational appeal of the story, noting how theatrical and streaming performance are mutually reinforcing, driving both audience engagement and merchandise sales.
With such widespread enthusiasm, the potential for Lilo & Stitch to expand within Disney’s parks seems strong. The combination of record-breaking box office numbers, high streaming engagement, and robust consumer product sales mirrors patterns seen with other major Disney franchises such as Frozen, Toy Story, and Star Wars. For park planners, franchises that perform across multiple platforms often translate into new character experiences, attractions, or even themed lands.
Stitch’s continued popularity and the franchise’s broad reach suggest that Disney’s Hawaiian adventure could soon evolve beyond screens and shelves. Whether through updated attractions, character meet-and-greets, or an immersive land inspired by the story’s warmth and humor, the groundwork is set for a theme park presence that could become a major draw for fans worldwide.
Would you like to see a Stitch Land at Disney World or another Disney theme park? Let us know in the comments down below!
