Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch breaks box office records

In the early summer of 2025, Disney's live-action remake of the animated classic 'Lilo & Stitch' emerged as a dominant force at the North American box office. The film has reportedly generated a staggering $335.8 million in ticket sales across the United States and Canada, indicating its strong appeal among audiences. This financial success can be attributed to effective marketing strategies and a sense of nostalgia, as the original film was released in 2002. The live-action adaptation stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo and features Chris Sanders returning to voice the iconic character Stitch. Competing against 'Lilo & Stitch', Lionsgate's 'Ballerina,' a spin-off from the popular 'John Wick' series, debuted in second place, grossing $25 million. This performance has been described as a weak opening for an action thriller spin-off, reflecting challenges in the competitive landscape of summer box office releases. Following closely, 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' secured third place, garnering $15 million, and has achieved over $449 million in global box office receipts. In addition to these films, the sequel to the classic 'Karate Kid,' titled 'Karate Kid: Legends,' captured fourth place, with a domestic revenue of $8.7 million in its second week. This film, starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, taps into the legacy of the original 1984 movie, contributing to the nostalgia theme that has been prevalent in cinema. Finally, the horror flick 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' came in fifth, with a box office total of $6.5 million, demonstrating ongoing interest in the franchise. 'Lilo & Stitch' continues to be a favorite this summer, reinforcing the effectiveness of remaking beloved classics. The high ticket sales reflect general audience satisfaction and engagement with the film, suggesting a potentially lucrative box office season for Disney. Increasingly, nostalgia and familiar titles appear to play vital roles in the profitability of today's cinema, setting standards for future film adaptations as studios seek to capitalize on similar themes.