Big news in Hollywood right now. One movie has done something amazing in a year that’s seen a lot of big movies. It’s the first Hollywood movie of 2025 to go over $1 billion at the global box office! And the star of the show is Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch!
This is a big deal not just for Disney but for the whole industry. It really proves the timeless appeal of these characters. With a global total of over $1,001,000,000 the movie which opened in theaters late May has just passed that magic 9 zero barrier!
It’s worth noting that while Lilo & Stitch is the first Hollywood movie to reach this milestone in 2025 it’s actually the second movie to do so this year. Earlier this year China’s animated fantasy Ne Zha 2 had a huge run and grossed over $1.8 billion. But this is a big deal for a Hollywood movie and sets the bar high for the rest of the year.
With a massive $183 million domestic total over the four day Memorial Day weekend Lilo & Stitch had a great start and biggest opening ever for that holiday weekend. It was clear right away that something was up. But its endurance is even more impressive. The movie has proven to be very durable, drawing in audiences week after week despite competition from other big summer movies.
The first movie to reach a billion was expected to be a big family movie or one of the big action blockbuster hits of the year. With the mixed reactions to other live-action remakes recently there was even some doubt about Lilo & Stitch itself. But the story is irresistible, Stitch is lovable and the Ohana – family – theme clearly struck a chord with audiences worldwide.
The movie has rekindled global love for the entire Lilo & Stitch franchise and broken box office records. With hundreds of millions of hours streamed worldwide reports say viewership of the original 2002 animated movie and associated content on Disney’s streaming service has gone up significantly. That’s exactly the kind of cross-platform synergy studios want.
And that’s not all! Disney has already announced a live-action sequel to Lilo & Stitch is in production following this box office success! Good news for fans who are clearly eager for more Lilo, Stitch and the ohana.
The fact that Lilo & Stitch has gone over $1 billion proves how a good story and lovable characters can connect with a global audience. It shows that movies with heart, humor and an emotional core can do well in a very crowded industry.
