One week ago, nobody could have predicted that Disney’s live-action remake Lilo & Stitch would launch to a record-breaking $182.6 million for the four-day Memorial Day weekend, including $146 million for the three days. Against a net budget of $100 million, overseas the live-action redux of the 2002 animated feature about a Hawaiian girl and rambunctious, dog-like alien likewise exceeded all expectations debuting with $178.6 million for a global start of $361.2 million.
More than the whole lifespan runs of several live-action Disney reimaginings, the picture is adding another milestone to its list today as it crosses the $400 million mark globally, including $200 million domestically on its sixth day of release. Not adjusted for inflation, it out-grossed the whole $273.1 million global run of 2002’s animated Lilo & Stitch already. At least in North America, it is also ahead of Warner Bros.’ smash A Minecraft Movie. Minecraft had made $193.2 million domestically in its sixth day of release.
Finding another film like Lilo & Stitch would be difficult. Tracking to launch at $120 million domestically three weeks ahead of release, it was One week later it was $145 million, then $165 million on the eve of the May 23 U.S. premiere. Perhaps because few people understood Lilo & Stitch isn’t only a kids movie, almost none can think of a comparable title bursting like that. With 57% of the first weekend audience non-families, it is clear that the property is revered IP for Gen Zers and younger millennials, sometimes known as “zillennials.”
A PG-rated family movie is magic when it can draw a general audience. Another example is the top-grossing film of the year to date, Minecraft Movie. For A Super Mario Bros. Movie and Wicked, or Disney’s Aladdin, ditto.
