In a massive win for Disney, the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch has stormed the North American box office, pulling in an eye-popping $145.5 million during its opening weekend. The beloved story of a Hawaiian girl and her alien friend Stitch has struck a nostalgic chord with audiences, and the numbers prove it.
This surprising box office victory has everyone talking. Many fans and critics doubted how the animated classic would translate to live-action, but Disney seems to have delivered a crowd-pleasing update. Social media exploded with praise over the weekend, with fans calling it “heartwarming,” “hilarious,” and even “better than the original.”
The film features newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Zach Galifianakis in a standout performance as the voice of Stitch. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), the movie blends island culture, sci-fi chaos, and heartfelt family drama in a way that feels fresh yet familiar.
Industry experts didn’t expect such high numbers, especially with summer competition heating up. But Lilo & Stitch has proved to be a box office juggernaut, outperforming early projections by nearly $40 million. With strong word-of-mouth and family appeal, the movie is expected to continue its success in the coming weeks.
This box office win not only breathes new life into Disney’s live-action slate but also shows that when remakes are done right, audiences are more than willing to show up. And if the early response is any indication, Stitch’s “ohana” just got a whole lot bigger.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, this new Lilo & Stitch is the must-watch movie of the summer.