On the eve of its theatrical release, Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch is poised to become a box office juggernaut.Industry analysts and Disney executives alike are projecting that the film could surpass the coveted $1 billion mark in global ticket sales—a feat achieved by only a select few films.
Popular Box office analyst Charlie Jatinder has forecasted that Lilo & Stitch could earn over $1.25 billion worldwide, with the potential to approach $1.5 billion if audience reception is strong. He anticipates an international opening weekend gross of up to $200 million, indicating robust global interest.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has expressed exceptional confidence in the film, describing its tracking as “enormous” and stating that he has personally viewed the movie multiple times, endorsing it wholeheartedly. Such strong internal support suggests that Disney is banking on Lilo & Stitch to be a major success.
“We have Lilo & Stitch coming out on Memorial Day weekend. That’s the live-action version. Tracking is enormous. I’ve seen the movie a few times. I can endorse it wholeheartedly. I have a lot of confidence there.”
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Record-Breaking Advance Sales
Advance ticket sales have been extraordinary. Fandango reports that Lilo & Stitch has become its best first-day PG-rated ticket pre-seller of 2025 and ranks as the second-best first-day pre-seller for a Disney live-action movie, trailing only 2019’s The Lion King.
These impressive pre-sales are bolstered by a marketing campaign that has effectively tapped into the film’s multi-generational appeal. From Super Bowl ads to viral social media content, Disney has leveraged Stitch’s popularity to generate buzz and drive ticket sales.
A Strategic Shift Pays Off
Much like Moana 2 which was intended for a direct-to-streaming release, Lilo & Stitch was shifted to a theatrical debut in response to its growing popularity and the potential for significant box office returns. This decision appears to be paying off, with the film projected to open with over $150 million in North America alone, outperforming other major releases.
The film’s production budget of just over $100 million positions it for substantial profitability, especially if it reaches the projected global earnings.
Conclusion
With strong endorsements from industry analysts, record-breaking advance ticket sales, and enthusiastic support from Disney’s leadership, Lilo & Stitch is on track to become one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Its blend of nostalgic appeal and modern storytelling has resonated with audiences worldwide, setting the stage for a potentially historic box office performance.
