LOS ANGELES: Disney’s Lilo & Stitch has made a strong debut, earning $14.5 million in box office previews—the highest of the year so far.
The live-action remake also set a new Memorial Day preview record for Disney, surpassing previous titles like The Little Mermaid ($10.3 million) and Aladdin ($7 million).
Originally projected to bring in $120 million over its four-day opening weekend, industry analysts have now raised expectations for Lilo & Stitch to a massive $165 million. If achieved, this would make it the biggest Memorial Day opening in history, overtaking Top Gun: Maverick, which earned $160 million.
The film reimagines the beloved 2002 animated classic, hitting theaters today (Friday, May 23). Chris Sanders returns as the voice of Stitch, while the cast includes Maia Kealoha as Lilo, alongside Tia Carrere, Zach Galifianakis, and Billy Magnussen.
The story follows young Hawaiian girl Lilo, played by newcomer Kealoha, who forms a bond with Stitch—a mischievous alien fugitive—after he crash-lands on Earth. Following the death of their parents, Lilo is raised by her older sister Nani, who struggles to keep things together as Stitch causes chaos in their lives.
Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, which is expected to be Tom Cruise’s final appearance in the franchise, also made headlines by earning $8.3 million in previews—a new high for the series. The previous installment took in $7 million, while Mission: Impossible — Fallout earned $6 million during its preview run.
