Movies

3 reasons why the Lilo & Stitch remake became a box-office sensation

BBG News

It appears that even after the previous year’s Snow White remake, there remains a strong interest among people for Disney’s live-action reimaginings, as demonstrated by Lilo & Stitch.

In its initial release, the fresh remake raked in a staggering $341.7 million globally over the weekend, breaking records with a massive $183 million debut in the US, surpassing the previous Memorial Day opening record held by Top Gun: Maverick ($160 million). The film also outperformed Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which had previously set a series best.

The Rotten Tomatoes rating of 68% for the remake is satisfactory, but it doesn’t have the level of acclaim that suggests an absolute must-see. However, what made Lilo & Stitch a box office hit?

The Rotten Tomatoes rating of 68% for the remake is acceptable, but it doesn’t have the overwhelming praise that indicates an essential viewing. Nevertheless, what caused Lilo & Stitch to become a box office phenomenon?

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1. It’s a ‘newer’ Disney movie

A successful trend among Disney’s live-action remakes is that the original film, compared to present times, is not very old.

All reimagined versions of the films Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King surpassed $1 billion in earnings, as they were remakes from the ’90s Disney catalog. Lilo & Stitch, though a more recent release in 2002, is still part of the generation that likely counts it among their favorite Disney films.

Today’s generation, who were once captivated by the original, now find themselves as parents. This emotional attachment makes them more likely to watch the remake. Even if they didn’t have children, their affinity for the original would still draw them in. In the U.S., this trend is evident in the demographic breakdown of the audience, with a staggering 79% being under 35 years old, as reported by Deadline.

The older the Disney film, the more challenging it becomes to achieve success at the box office when a remake is released. For instance, the reason “Snow White” only earned $205 million globally may have been due in part because it was based on an 83-year-old movie. Conversely, the “Dumbo” remake fared better, raking in $353 million worldwide.

Just as there are always exceptions, like the recent “The Jungle Book” remake earning close to $1 billion globally, despite being derived from a 1967 film. However, it’s logical to assume that if modern viewers hold a soft spot for the initial movie, due to its connection to their childhood memories, they might be more inclined to check out the remake.

Indeed, alterations in remakes can potentially cause problems with deviating from the original movie, like how the character Gantu wasn’t reprised in the Lilo & Stitch remake. However, it appears that this decision hasn’t significantly impacted the film’s success; it boasts a robust 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A grade from CinemaScore.

2. Stitch is massive

Initially released as Lilo & Stitch, this animated movie didn’t rake in a massive box office revenue of $273 million globally. However, subsequent remakes have surpassed these figures. Yet, the box office earnings don’t fully illustrate its enduring popularity and impact as a beloved modern Disney classic.

Visiting any Disneyland park will give you an idea of the massive popularity that “Lilo & Stitch,” particularly Stitch himself, has achieved. You’ll struggle not to encounter Stitch-themed merchandise at every turn, and it’s no surprise given that last year’s consumer products related to “Lilo & Stitch” reportedly raked in over $2.5 billion, as reported by Deadline.

On Disney+, the narrative is remarkably consistent with the franchise, which now encompasses three sequels, excluding the remake, and three television series. The total viewing time exceeds 500 million hours, with the initial film amassing over 280 million views. Given that the remake has been released in theaters, this number is undoubtedly larger now.

Given those details, it’s not surprising that a significant portion of the marketing strategy centered around Stitch. This lovable rascal overshadowed promotional materials for other 2025 releases such as Thunderbolts and Snow White, and even made an appearance on the field during the Super Bowl.

Of course, Stitch was involved in the media interviews for the film as well, completing the entire promotional effort.

3. The family effect

studios risk underestimating the family audience segment if they don’t consider it carefully. The last significant family-oriented movie was “A Minecraft Movie,” which debuted in early April, and its success demonstrates the strong influence that this market segment can have.

The movie based on Minecraft has raked in an impressive $940 million globally, and it’s worth noting that viewers going to see Minecraft might also get a sneak peek of the upcoming Disney reboot of Lilo & Stitch.

Impossible” movie, that were released at the same time.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but acknowledge the significant role that Disney’s timely release of “Lilo & Stitch” played in its impressive box office performance. It had been almost two months since we had a new family-friendly offering from Disney, and the anticipation was palpable. This longing for fresh content seemed to fuel the film’s success when it finally hit the screens.

Lilo & Stitch is out now in cinemas.

Grab your copy of “British Comedy Legends” from newsstands or online retailers for only £3.99!

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2025-05-27 17:19

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