Hot on the heels of the massive box office success of its live-action adaptation, Disney has officially confirmed that a sequel to "Lilo & Stitch" is now in development. The announcement arrived on June 26, a nod to Stitch's in-universe experiment number, 626, and came complete with a brief teaser showing the mischievous alien behind the wheel of a hot-pink convertible zipping through the Disney Studios lot, gleefully shouting, "Get ready. Here we go!"
Originally intended for a streaming debut, "Lilo & Stitch" defied early expectations to become a theatrical juggernaut. Since its Memorial Day weekend release, the PG-rated family adventure has grossed over $910 million globally, putting it on track to surpass the billion-dollar mark. Should it succeed, it will become the first film of 2025 to join the billion-dollar club.
While the studio is keeping plot details, cast information, and a release date tightly under wraps, the confirmation alone is enough to excite fans who fell in love with Stitch more than two decades ago.
Stitch has long been one of Disney's most lucrative characters in terms of merchandise. In 2024 alone, the company reported $2.6 billion in global sales of "Lilo & Stitch"-themed consumer products, a testament to the mischievous, blue-furred extraterrestrial's enduring popularity.
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the first live-action installment reimagined the heartwarming story of a lonely young girl named Lilo and her bond with a genetically engineered alien who crash-lands in Hawaii. Together with her older sister Nani, Lilo teaches Stitch the meaning of family - or "ohana," the Hawaiian word that defines the emotional core of the franchise.
The new film joins the ranks of Disney's most successful live-action adaptations, alongside hits like "The Lion King" (2019), "Beauty and the Beast" (2017), and "Aladdin" (2019). These films have collectively grossed billions at the box office, proving that there is a strong appetite for modern takes on animated classics; however, the trend hasn't been without its misfires. Films like "Dumbo" (2019) and the delayed "Snow White" remake have shown that not every beloved classic can guarantee box office magic.
Tags: lilo & stitch, disney