After two months in theaters worldwide, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch is approaching the $1 billion mark at the global box office, surpassing Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in total earnings. This achievement highlights the film’s remarkable performance amid stiff competition in 2025’s crowded release schedule.
Box Office Performance and Global Rankings
Lilo & Stitch has earned $415 million domestically and $579 million internationally, bringing its cumulative worldwide total to approximately $994 million. This weekend, the film surpassed Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which holds a lifetime global box office of $976 million. It also overtook other past favorites such as Despicable Me 2 with $975 million and The Lion King, which grossed $988 million worldwide. Despite just shy of the billion-dollar milestone, Lilo & Stitch now holds the distinction of being the highest-grossing movie that has not yet reached $1 billion globally. For context, the original Lion King inspired a live-action remake that exceeded $1.6 billion in box office revenue.
The 2025 market landscape has been led by the Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, which earned over $2.2 billion, becoming the highest-grossing animated film worldwide and surpassing Inside Out 2. Another major release, the Minecraft Movie, came close to the billion-dollar threshold but fell short, grossing about $950 million.
Disney’s Strategy with Live-Action Remakes
Disney’s success with live-action remakes began in 2010 with Alice in Wonderland, which crossed the billion-dollar mark. This was followed by similar box office hits such as Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, while The Jungle Book remake nearly reached the $1 billion benchmark. However, recent efforts including Snow White, Dumbo, and The Little Mermaid have not met expectations despite sizeable production budgets. Meanwhile, DreamWorks Animation has recently entered the live-action remake arena with its adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, signaling a broader industry trend.
Upcoming Sequel and Critical Reception
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, known for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, the new Lilo & Stitch is a remake of the 2002 animated original, which earned around $280 million globally. The original film developed a strong following among millennials, many of whom supported the recent release enthusiastically. Critics responded positively, awarding it a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus noted:
Recapturing the adorable charm of the original if not quite matching its rambunctious sense of imagination, Lilo & Stitch emerges out of the crate as one of the better live-action remakes of a Disney classic.
—Rotten Tomatoes, Critics’ Consensus
In response to the film’s success, a sequel is already planned, further expanding the story of the Hawaiian girl Lilo and her alien companion Stitch. For now, the original continues to play in cinemas before its upcoming home video release.
Story and Cast Details
Lilo & Stitch follows the tale of Lilo, a lonely girl from Hawaii, who forms a deep bond with Stitch, a fugitive alien. Their journey explores themes of family, belonging, and healing through unexpected friendship. Maia Kealoha stars as Lilo, bringing heartfelt authenticity to the character, while Chris Sanders provides the voice for Stitch.
Significance and Future Prospects
The box office success of Lilo & Stitch highlights Disney’s continued strength in revitalizing beloved animated properties for new audiences. With its global earnings edging closer to $1 billion, the film reinforces the commercial viability of live-action remakes in today’s market. The planned sequel and sustained theatrical run underscore the studio’s confidence in the franchise’s long-term appeal, which will likely encourage further investments in similar projects moving forward.
