Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Surpasses $1B Globally, Sequel Expected 2026

The 2025 live-action remake of Disney's Lilo & Stitch has been a major success, surpassing $1 billion in global box office revenue and prompting plans for a sequel in 2026. At San Diego Comic-Con, cast members including Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Tia Carrere, and creator Chris Sanders shared behind-the-scenes stories, revealed that Stitch was originally conceived as a green forest-dweller before becoming the iconic blue alien, and emphasized the film's central theme of ʻohana, or family. Despite its financial success and multi-generational appeal, some fans criticized the remake for omitting key scenes from the original 2002 film, notably Stitch's emotional "I'm lost" moment, which was seen as crucial to the character's development. The panel highlighted the sincerity and heartfelt impact of the story, with Sanders noting that this authenticity contributes to the film's broad resonance. While the live-action version expanded Lilo's world and continued the legacy, debates about changes to the story's message persist among the audience.