The 'Lilo & Stitch' Disney Parks Expansion, New Land Is Now Inevitable

Disney’s most profitable recent releases could change the landscape of the parks.

Back in 2002, the animated film Lilo & Stitch, directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, introduced moviegoers to Lilo, a spirited Hawaiian girl, and Stitch, the extraterrestrial experiment who becomes her misbehaving yet lovable companion. The story explored the Hawaiian concept of “ʻohana,” and its heartfelt tone, hand-drawn animation, and Elvis-infused soundtrack quickly turned it into a standout hit. Its popularity paved the way for multiple sequels and a television follow-up.

More than twenty years later, Disney brought the story back with a hybrid of live-action performances and CG animation. Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) helmed the reimagining, which showcased newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo. Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, and Courtney B. Vance rounded out the cast, while Chris Sanders returned to voice Stitch.

Initially designed for a direct Disney+ debut, the project shifted to a wide theatrical release after Moana 2 (2024) surpassed expectations at the box office following a similar pivot from streaming to theaters.

Moviegoers embraced Stitch’s comeback. The live-action Lilo & Stitch collected $1.033 billion globally, topping the $957.7 million made by Warner Bros.’ A Minecraft Movie (2025), according to Box Office Mojo. With Stitch already a major presence across Disney parks, merchandise, and franchise media, the studio announced a sequel in late June.

Streaming platforms also benefited from renewed interest. From June 2 to 8, 2025, Nielsen reported that the original 2002 film Lilo & Stitch climbed into the Top 10 most-watched films, with 236,000 minutes streamed. It joined releases including Amazon Prime’s The Accountant 2 (2025), Disney and Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World (2025), and The Wild Robot (2024).

Deadline reported that the franchise continued to perform strongly across Disney’s digital footprint. “The Lilo & Stitch franchise in series and the original pic has driven over 579 million hours on Disney+ around the globe,” the outlet stated. “The original Lilo & Stitch has accounted for more than 306M hours of viewing on the OTT service. Disney+ global. Retail sales for Stitch have grown from $0.2B in 2019 to $2.6B in 2024, representing a tenfold increase.”

More reports echoed the surge in interest, noting: “The original animated film, Lilo & Stitch, continues to get a boost in viewership following the release of the new live-action version, highlighting the benefit of the large back catalog of titles available on Disney+.”

Given the pattern of recent theatrical releases gaining traction once they reached streaming, Lilo & Stitch appeared primed for another wave of viewers as it transitioned to Disney+. The streaming date had been revealed only weeks earlier, confirming that starting September 3, 2025, subscribers would be able to revisit (or discover) the billion-dollar hit at home.

Disney had strong reason to be enthusiastic about this digital debut. Several titles that underperformed at the box office earlier in the year saw dramatic turnarounds on the platform. Marc Webb’s controversial Disney’s Snow White (2025) and Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts* (2025) both struggled to connect with theatrical audiences yet rose rapidly once they arrived on Disney+.

With Lilo & Stitch already ranking as Disney’s biggest big-screen performer of the year, the film appeared positioned to join the upper tier of Disney+ titles in terms of viewership. Its arrival had the potential to make it one of the most-watched movies in the platform’s history.

And it did just that, bringing in 14.3 million views in its first five days.

“This summer’s box office once again demonstrated the global and cross-generational appeal of our storytelling and IP. To date, Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remains the highest-grossing Hollywood film at the global box office this calendar year, and its success has extended across our interconnected businesses and consumer touchpoints,” Disney wrote in its Q4 executive summary.

They added: “The film earned 14.3 million views during its first five days on Disney+, becoming the second-biggest Disney live-action premiere on the platform ever. Retail sales of consumer products merchandise for Stitch, including sales by our licensees, also continue to grow, eclipsing $4 billion in fiscal 2025.”

Lilo & Stitch Disney Parks Expansion Is Inevitable

Disney’s recent performance data makes a compelling case that the expansion of Lilo & Stitch within the company’s theme parks is no longer a question of if, but when. This summer’s box office reaffirmed just how powerfully the studio’s storytelling resonates across generations and across the globe.

At the center of that surge is Lilo & Stitch, whose live-action adaptation has become the highest-grossing Hollywood release worldwide this calendar year. That level of success is more than a cinematic win—it’s the kind of broad, sustained momentum that historically pushes Disney to translate beloved stories into physical, experiential destinations.

The film’s performance on Disney+ reinforces this trajectory even further. Earning 14.3 million views within its first five days, the movie secured the second-biggest Disney live-action premiere on the platform. For Disney decision-makers, streaming data isn’t just a metric; it’s a barometer of sustained fan engagement and long-term franchise potential.

Whenever an IP demonstrates massive reach both theatrically and at home, it signals that audiences aren’t simply watching—they’re emotionally invested. For theme parks, where repeatability and emotional connection drive attendance, a franchise with this kind of cross-platform strength becomes an obvious candidate for expansion.

Then there’s Stitch himself—an enduring, merchandise-powered phenomenon. Consumer product sales attached to the character, including licensed merchandise, have now surpassed a staggering $4 billion in fiscal 2025. Stitch has always been popular, but this surge cements him among Disney’s most commercially valuable characters.

Historically, when franchise sales reach this magnitude—think Frozen, Toy Story, or Star Wars—Disney follows with deeper integration across its parks, from meet-and-greets to attractions and full-fledged lands. The company consistently leverages its most bankable icons to enhance park offerings, drive retail sales onsite, and deepen franchise presence across its global portfolio.

When you combine all of these factors—record-breaking box office results, massive streaming enthusiasm, and explosive merchandise revenue, the conclusion becomes almost inevitable. Disney has every incentive to transform Lilo & Stitch into a larger physical footprint within its parks.

Whether through expanded character interactions, an updated attraction, or an entire land capturing the film’s Hawaiian warmth and alien-infused whimsy, the franchise is perfectly positioned for its next evolution. With the data pointing toward long-term demand and cross-generational affection, Stitch’s next big home may very well be at Disney’s theme parks—and it’s only a matter of time before that reality takes shape.

How do you think Disney will inject Lilo & Stitch into the theme parks and resorts worldwide? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!