Disney's Live-Action 'Lilo & Stitch' Officially Replaced in 2025

The Disney box office charts look wholly different now that the Zootopia franchise has returned.

Disney’s Zootopia 2 (2025) has surged to the top of the global box office, officially becoming the highest-grossing Disney release of 2025. The animated sequel achieved this milestone late in the year, overtaking the studio’s earlier summer hit, Lilo & Stitch (2025). After months of strong international performance, Zootopia 2 edged ahead to claim the top spot among Disney’s theatrical releases, solidifying its status as one of the year’s defining box office success stories.

According to Box Office Mojo’s year-end chart, the animated hit has accrued approximately $1.137 billion worldwide, edging past the earlier summer success Lilo & Stitch’s $1.038 billion global total.

Directed by Jared Bush with co-director Byron Howard, Zootopia 2 reunites audiences with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, now seasoned detectives navigating the evolving challenges of the mammal metropolis. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman return to voice the central duo, whose partnership is tested as professional pressures and personal expectations strain their once-effortless teamwork. The story introduces a new mystery that disrupts the city’s fragile balance when Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan), the first snake resident of Zootopia, arrives with motives that spark fear, suspicion, and political tension.

As Judy and Nick investigate, the film expands the world introduced in the original by exploring new districts and social dynamics, using the mystery framework to examine issues of trust, inclusion, and systemic bias. The sequel blends humor and action with emotional depth, reinforcing the franchise’s reputation for layered storytelling.

A robust supporting cast, including returning favorites and new voices such as Ke Huy Quan, Idris Elba, Shakira, Quinta Brunson, and Fortune Feimster, adds texture and comedic energy throughout the narrative. With its combination of timely themes, engaging character arcs, and broad family appeal, Zootopia 2 has not only surpassed expectations creatively but has also emerged as Disney’s top-grossing film of the year.

Lilo & Stitch: A Box Office Powerhouse Summer Hit

Before being surpassed by Zootopia 2, Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake held the title of the studio’s highest-grossing movie of 2025 for much of the year. Released in the early summer corridor, the film quickly became a global phenomenon, drawing in both nostalgic fans of the original 2002 animated classic and a new generation of viewers. Its sustained theatrical run and strong international turnout propelled it past the billion-dollar mark, making it one of Disney’s most commercially successful live-action adaptations to date.

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the film reimagines the story of Lilo Pelekai, a lonely but imaginative young girl living in Hawaii with her older sister, Nani, following the death of their parents. Maia Kealoha stars as Lilo, with Sydney Elizebeth Agudong portraying Nani, grounding the story in an emotionally sincere sibling dynamic. Their lives are upended when Lilo adopts Stitch, a genetically engineered alien designed for destruction, who crash-lands on Earth while fleeing intergalactic authorities.

Chris Sanders reprises his role as the voice of Stitch, bringing continuity and authenticity to the character’s chaotic charm. As Stitch’s destructive instincts clash with life on Earth, the film emphasizes themes of belonging, forgiveness, and chosen family. Supporting performances from Zach Galifianakis as Jumba Jookiba, Billy Magnussen as Pleakley, and Courtney B. Vance as social worker Cobra Bubbles balance broad comedy with heartfelt moments, reinforcing the emotional stakes of the story.

The film’s blend of visual effects, humor, and emotional resonance helped it dominate the summer box office and become a cultural talking point well beyond its theatrical debut. While it ultimately finished second to Zootopia 2 in total worldwide gross, Lilo & Stitch remains one of Disney’s most impactful and successful releases of 2025, proving the enduring appeal of its central message: family means no one gets left behind.

Together, the box office performances of Zootopia 2 and Lilo & Stitch highlight Disney’s continued dominance in global theatrical entertainment in 2025. While Lilo & Stitch set the pace early in the year, Zootopia 2’s late surge allowed it to overtake the live-action remake, earning the distinction of Disney’s highest-grossing movie of the year.

Disney’s box office prowess is unlikely to waver over the next two years with movies like Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025), The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), Toy Story 5 (2026), Avengers: Doomsday (2026), Star Wars: Starfighter (2027), Frozen 3 (2027), and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) all coming down the pipeline.

How do you feel about Disney’s box office prospects in the next few years? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!