Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch has surpassed the global box office total of James Gunn‘s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, signaling a new benchmark as the film approaches $1 billion in worldwide earnings. After three weeks in theaters, the film is rapidly approaching record-setting territory, setting the stage for discussion about major shifts in box office performance and Disney’s resurgence since Moana 2.
Lilo & Stitch’s momentum remains strong, accumulating $366 million from U.S. audiences and an impressive $492 million from international markets, bringing its current worldwide gross to $858 million. This substantial figure places the film ahead of other popular family and animated movies such as Mufasa: The Lion King, Inside Out, and Coco. The milestone also means that it has overtaken Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the latter now outpaced in global revenue. Disney reportedly invested $250 million in producing Lilo & Stitch, signaling a considerable gamble that appears to be paying off, especially when compared to production expenses for recent blockbusters.
Box Office Challenges and Rival Releases
This weekend introduced fresh competition, as DreamWorks premiered its remake of How to Train Your Dragon, achieving a swift $200 million at the global box office. The competition has not gone unnoticed, but Lilo & Stitch retained enough audience momentum to keep its billion-dollar aspirations alive. On Rotten Tomatoes, Lilo & Stitch posted a 72% score from critics, reflecting generally positive feedback, while audiences offered even higher appreciation with a verified 93% score. The emotional connection has roots in the original 2002 animated Lilo & Stitch by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, a film that has become a beloved favorite among millennial viewers.
Filmmaker Connections and Audience Appeal
Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, who helmed the animated Lilo & Stitch, also directed the first How to Train Your Dragon film, which became a significant hit in 2010 and garnered nearly $500 million globally. Both original films earned enthusiastic receptions, with today’s audience—now largely in their 30s—granting the How to Train Your Dragon remake a remarkable 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. The interplay between nostalgic appeal and fresh cinematic experiences has sparked a dynamic rivalry between these releases, making this season particularly engaging for fans of animated stories and remakes alike.
Lilo & Stitch Cast and Noteworthy Contributions
The current success of Lilo & Stitch also owes much to its cast, with Maia Kealoha starring as Lilo and Chris Sanders reprising his role as the voice of Stitch. The production has harnessed talent and legacy connections, infusing new life into the narrative while drawing on the emotional attachment of previous generations of viewers. As the film edges closer to joining the $1 billion club, all eyes remain on its performance, especially in a crowded box office arena marked by multiple high-profile remakes.
As Disney’s Lilo & Stitch continues to climb, having already surpassed James Gunn at the global box office, industry observers are keen to see whether it can officially cross the billion-dollar milestone and cement its place among the most successful family films of recent years. The continued popularity of nostalgic stories, combined with strategic casting and robust global marketing efforts, suggests that Lilo & Stitch is well positioned to maintain its momentum and influence box office trends for the foreseeable future.
