Movies

How the mischievous blue alien Stitch became one of Disney’s most popular properties

BBG News

Breea Milburn has been a Stitch fan since the beginning.

Growing up, she developed a fascination following her first glimpse of the naughty blue extraterrestrial breaching the screen boundaries and causing chaos during previews of traditional Disney movies like “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” for the initial 2002 animated film, “Lilo & Stitch.

Currently residing in South Carolina at the age of 32, she has accumulated an assortment of Stitch items – such as pins, plush toys, and a handbag that seems permanently fastened to her person – primarily as gifts from relatives and acquaintances.

Despite enjoying Stitch’s mischievous behavior, Milburn acknowledges that she values the profound topics the film explores, such as a young girl’s journey and hardships experienced in Hawaii alongside her sister following their parents’ demise.

Stitch serves as the comedic relief in a tale that’s fundamentally somber yet authentic, and I believe it has the potential to strike a chord with many. He’s not simply a chaotic figure; there’s depth to his character beyond that.

Milburn, along with countless fans of Stitch, could potentially be the reason behind Walt Disney Company’s upcoming billion-dollar box office hit.

This upcoming weekend will see the release of a highly anticipated live-action remake. Predictions suggest it could earn between $120 million and $150 million by Monday at U.S. box offices, which would be a remarkable achievement, considering Disney’s recent reimagining of “Snow White” underperformed significantly.

It’s even more astonishing considering that the 2002 film “Lilo & Stitch” wasn’t a major box-office hit, earning a global total of $273 million.

The movie you’re referring to was made during a quiet phase following what is known as Disney’s ‘renaissance’, a time that produced popular animated films like “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Tarzan”. Unfortunately, there are no permanent rides in Disney’s theme parks specifically dedicated to Stitch, which means he isn’t always in the public spotlight.

The upcoming Disney movie, which cost around $100 million to make, is anticipated to attract a wide range of ages, from young children to millennials who were kids when the 2002 film was released. Despite the character being more popular among girls, Disney believes that boys will also watch it. Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, made this statement.

He stated that he’s confident this film will appeal to everyone, which is crucial for achieving a high box office success. He strongly believes that we will manage to attract all kinds of viewers.

Over time, Stitch has risen to prominence among Disney’s characters, surprising many. This quirky blue alien has gained immense popularity, placing him in the top 10 most successful Disney franchises. He joins esteemed company with icons like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the princesses, Star Wars, and Marvel, as reported by the company.

The “Lilo & Stitch” collection, encompassing various animated series, TV movies, and direct-to-video productions, has amassed a total of 546 million watched hours on Disney+. Interestingly, the initial 2002 movie makes up over half of that viewership. Moreover, according to Disney’s data, the viewership of the “Lilo & Stitch” library has seen a substantial increase every year, as indicated by the number of streamed hours.

In the retail sector, the sales of merchandise related to Stitch reached approximately $2.6 billion last year. Notable items currently available include collectible Spam cans, a towering remote-controlled inflatable over 4 feet tall, Stitch dog costumes, and makeup sets inspired by “Lilo & Stitch”.

According to Bergman, Stitch’s lasting appeal was “definitely” a factor in approving the live-action movie, and there may be even more projects in the future.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but feel excited about the potential this property holds. I’m currently brainstorming ideas on how we can further explore its depths, discovering what makes it unique and compelling. It’s evident that the characters have endured the test of time, and I believe this new installation will breathe fresh life into the franchise once more.

In simpler terms, what makes a character resembling a koala and known for picking its nose with its own tongue so appealing to customers for over twenty years?

According to Lindsay Hahn, an assistant professor of communication at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, while Stitch is typically seen as a mischievous troublemaker, he shares similarities with other Disney heroes when you look beyond his playful exterior.

In their study of over 730 Disney films, media psychologist Hahn discovered a common theme among Disney heroes: they are typically ready to bend or even break rules when it comes to aiding others. For instance, consider Mulan, who disobeys authority and joins the army in order to save her father.

Stitch’s strong commitment to his family and concern for others, along with his mischievous behavior, clearly places him in this category, according to her.

Hahn noted that in numerous aspects, he fits the requirements exceptionally well. However, his unique approach is somewhat unconventional compared to traditional Disney heroes; he’s endearingly unpredictable.

According to Tamar Rimmon, vice president of research and analytics strategy at TopMob (an online platform that provides info on various entertainment subjects), one possible reason for Stitch’s unusual likability might be his strong focus on discovering where he belongs in the world.

She mentioned a strong emotional bond, noting that the idea of discovering one’s own family seems particularly relevant in today’s society, especially for millennials and Generation Z.

Among approximately 2,000 Disney-related communities, Lilo & Stitch has consistently placed within the top 20 for the past five years, as reported by TopMob. Interestingly, Stitch was ranked as the 11th most beloved Disney character on TopMob last year and the 21st most popular overall over the past five years, according to their data (the rankings are determined by page views on their website).

In 2024, Stitch faced stiff competition primarily from newer film characters such as those from “Inside Out 2,” “The Lion King” (Scar and Mufasa), and Moana. However, only a few older characters managed to outshine Stitch: Mickey Mouse, Angel (his female counterpart), and Elsa from the popular movie “Frozen.

According to Rimmon, there’s a steady influx of fresh intellectual properties that can dethrone characters from classic films. However, he believes this only underscores the enduring appeal of Stitch.

Milburn, being a Stitch fan, finds that enduring fame evokes memories of another widely recognized character, not connected to recent movies or shows – the iconic Hello Kitty.

She remarked, “That’s a face I recognize well.” His name and adorable charm have been captivating one generation after another for quite some time now.

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2025-05-22 13:34

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