Is Disney Making a Lilo & Stitch Sequel Already

Nivedita Dubey
May 22, 2025

Summary

Disney is reportedly already considering a Lilo & Stitch live-action sequel.
The studio is confident about strong box office returns during opening weekend.
The cast includes Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, and Chris Sanders.

Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch debuts this weekend, and early projections suggest a strong box office performance. With momentum building, the studio is reportedly already discussing a sequel. Featuring a new cast and updated direction, the film could mark the beginning of a new franchise era.

Is Disney Making a Lilo & Stitch Sequel Already?

According to The Wall Street Journal, Disney is already in early talks about a sequel to the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie. The decision appears to be based on strong early box office projections and the confidence Disney has in the film’s overall appeal.

Produced with a reported budget of around $100 million, Lilo & Stitch is expected to earn $200 million or more during opening weekend, potentially breaking even almost immediately. Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman described the property as one that “lends itself to more,” indicating the studio sees long-term franchise potential.

This development aligns with Disney’s ongoing strategy of adapting its classic animated titles into live-action formats. Despite mixed results from recent remakes like Snow White, the formula has generally yielded profitable returns, and Lilo & Stitch is positioned to continue that trend.

Why Is Disney So Confident in the Film’s Success?

Disney’s optimism stems from a combination of strong early tracking numbers and the brand strength of Lilo & Stitch. The film is opening against Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, yet early metrics indicate that the family-friendly title may outperform the Tom Cruise-led blockbuster during its opening weekend.

While Mission: Impossible 8 is expected to perform well with action audiences, Lilo & Stitch has the advantage in attracting family viewership, especially with children and younger demographics. Given that family audiences often attend movies in larger groups, this increases potential ticket sales substantially.

Another factor behind the confidence is the proven commercial success of Disney’s live-action remakes, such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. These films have consistently delivered at the global box office despite critical reception.

Who Stars in the Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Movie?

The live-action adaptation features Maia Kealoha in the lead role of Lilo, marking a significant step in her early acting career. She previously had a small part in Moana 2. Nani, Lilo’s older sister, is played by Sydney Agudong.

Returning to the franchise is Chris Sanders, who reprises his voice role as Stitch—a character he originally created and voiced in the 2002 animated film.

The supporting cast includes:

Zach Galifianakis as Jumba
Billy Magnussen as Pleakley
Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles

The casting brings together a mix of established stars and emerging talent, supported by legacy contributions from the original creative team.

Who Directed the Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake?

Although original creators Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders earned writing credits due to their work on the 2002 animated film, they were not involved in directing the live-action version. Instead, Dean Fleischer Camp, best known for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, directed the remake.

The script was co-written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, based on the original story. This fresh creative team aims to retain the spirit of the original while adapting it for modern audiences.

When Does the Lilo & Stitch Remake Release?

The live-action Lilo & Stitch hits theaters nationwide this weekend, launching on the same date as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Despite the competition, Disney expects strong turnout, especially from family viewers.

No official announcement has been made about streaming release plans, but given Disney’s usual timeline, the film may be expected on Disney+ within a few months of its theatrical run.

Source: Collider

Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.

You can follow us on:

Pinterest

Instagram

Threads

Facebook

Youtube

Stay Connected!! Join our Whatsapp Channel