The Ohana just got bigger! Disney has officially confirmed that a live-action sequel to its recent blockbuster hit, Lilo & Stitch, is currently in development. The announcement landed on social media this week, fittingly on June 26th, a date celebrated by fans as “Experiment 626 Day” in honor of Stitch’s alien designation. A brief teaser featuring Stitch himself driving a pink convertible signaled that the project is moving forward.
This decision comes as no surprise, following the tremendous financial success of the first live-action film.
Why a Sequel? Following the Box Office & Brand Power
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the live-action Lilo & Stitch, originally considered for a direct-to-streaming release, premiered theatrically over Memorial Day weekend and quickly became a breakout hit. The film has already grossed well over $900 million worldwide, with some reports placing it above $920 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year and putting it on track to potentially cross the coveted $1 billion global milestone. This performance significantly surpasses the original 2002 animated movie’s $274.7 million global take and stands as a clear triumph for Disney’s live-action adaptation strategy, especially when contrasted with other recent remakes that underperformed.
But the Lilo & Stitch brand’s value extends far beyond the box office. Stitch remains one of Disney’s most popular and profitable characters.
Consumer Products: The franchise is a “cornerstone brand” for the company, generating an estimated $2.5 billion-plus in consumer product sales globally in 2024 alone. It’s part of an elite group of Disney’s 11 “evergreen franchises” that each surpassed $1 billion in retail sales that year.
Streaming Power: The entire Lilo & Stitch catalog is a massive draw on Disney+. The franchise has driven over half a billion (546 million) hours streamed globally on the platform, with the original animated movie accounting for a significant portion (over 280 million hours).
The combination of the recent film’s box office dominance and the franchise’s enduring, multi-billion-dollar strength across merchandise and streaming makes a sequel a strategic next step for Disney.
Who’s Returning for Lilo & Stitch 2?
While the sequel is confirmed to be in development, specific details regarding the cast and creative team are still emerging.
Maia Kealoha is confirmed to reprise her role as Lilo, having received praise for her portrayal of the young Hawaiian girl.
The return of Chris Sanders, the beloved voice of Stitch who also co-directed the original animated film, is currently unconfirmed for the sequel. Given his integral connection to the character and his return for the first live-action movie, fans are hopeful he will be back.
It is also presently unannounced whether Dean Fleischer Camp, who directed the successful first live-action film, will return to helm the sequel.
Details on the plot, potential new characters, or a release timeline for Lilo & Stitch 2 have not yet been disclosed.
What Could the Sequel Explore?
The original animated franchise expanded upon the core story by introducing many of Dr. Jumba Jookiba’s other genetic experiments. The live-action remake subtly teased some of these, including a potential nod to Angel (Experiment 624), Stitch’s popular love interest from the animated series. The sequel could potentially delve into Lilo and Stitch’s adventures discovering and finding a home for these other experiments, drawing inspiration from the animated universe, or it could forge an entirely new path.
As Lilo & Stitch 2* dances further into development, more details are expected to be announced, building anticipation for the continued adventures of everyone’s favorite extraterrestrial and his Hawaiian family.
