Entertainment

Lilo & Stitch Breaks Records: The First $1 Billion Film of 2025!

2025-07-17

Author: Jia

Hold on to your surfboards, because "Lilo & Stitch" has just made Hollywood history! Disney's live-action remake has officially become the first movie of 2025 to cross the $1 billion mark at the global box office, raking in a whopping $1.001 billion after just eight weekends in theaters.

With an impressive $416.1 million from North America and $584.8 million internationally, this family comedy is proving reviews don't lie. However, it's important to note that while "Lilo & Stitch" has hit this monumental milestone, the Chinese hit "Ne Zha 2" still reigns supreme, pulling in an astounding $1.899 billion.

Originally intended for Disney+, our favorite alien duo ended up defying expectations, showcasing Disney's knack for turning beloved properties into box office gold. Just look at "Moana 2," which also started as a streaming venture but ended up dazzling fans on the big screen, generating a billion dollars last Thanksgiving.

Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, "We always knew there was immense love for 'Lilo & Stitch,' yet this success reminds us of its universal appeal. A big shout-out to our talented filmmakers and cast for making this journey possible!"

Launching with a bang in late May, "Lilo & Stitch" snatched the record for the biggest Memorial Day weekend debut ever, pulling in $183 million domestically and $341 million globally in just four days. It dominated the top spot at the box office for three consecutive weekends, becoming only the second film of the year to pass the $400 million threshold in North America, alongside the "A Minecraft Movie." While "Minecraft" flirted with the billion-dollar mark, it ultimately settled at $955 million.

Globally, key markets for "Lilo & Stitch" included Mexico ($67 million), the United Kingdom ($49 million), and France ($42.5 million), proving its universal charm.

Despite being over two decades old, the original 2002 animated "Lilo & Stitch" continues to capture hearts worldwide, contributing to a staggering $2.6 billion in consumer product sales in 2024 alone. With a new generation falling in love with Stitch's antics, merchandise sales are expected to skyrocket even further this holiday season.

And let's not forget about the massive binge-worthy success on Disney+. The franchise has amassed over 680 million hours of views, with the original film racking up more than 280 hours alone, showing just how cherished these characters are by fans old and new.