If you’ve been scrolling through Disney+ lately wondering where that fluffy, blue agent of chaos is hiding, you’re not alone. There has been a ton of noise surrounding the live-action remake of the 2002 cult classic. Some people thought it was a 2024 movie, others were convinced it was skipping theaters entirely for a streaming-only debut.
So, let's get into the actual timeline. The new Lilo and Stitch came out in theaters on May 23, 2025.
It was a big deal. Disney basically staked its Memorial Day weekend on the film, pitting it against some heavy hitters at the box office. If you're wondering why you missed the theater run or when you can finally watch it from your couch, here is the full breakdown of how the release went down and what’s happening with the franchise now in 2026.
The Theater vs. Streaming Confusion
Honestly, the biggest reason people keep asking when did the new Lilo and Stitch come out is that the release plan changed about three times.
Initially, back in 2022, the word on the street (and from Disney's own internal reports) was that this was going to be a Disney+ original. We’re talking about the same treatment Lady and the Tramp or Pinocchio got—straight to the app, no popcorn bucket required. But then things shifted. Disney saw the buzz, realized people actually really wanted to see a CGI Stitch on a massive screen, and they pivoted to a full theatrical release.
- International Premiere: Many overseas markets, including the UK, actually got the movie a couple of days early on May 21, 2025.
- US Theatrical Debut: May 23, 2025.
- Digital Purchase/VOD: The movie hit platforms like Apple TV and Amazon on July 22, 2025.
- Disney+ Streaming Date: It finally landed on the streaming service on September 3, 2025.
If you’re looking for it right now, it’s fully available on Disney+. You don't have to pay extra for "Premier Access" or anything like that anymore.
Why the Release Date Mattered So Much
Disney was in a weird spot before this movie dropped. A lot of their recent live-action remakes were sort of... flopping? Or at least not hitting that billion-dollar mark they used to hit with things like The Lion King.
The new Lilo & Stitch actually broke that curse. It ended up pulling in over $1.03 billion globally. That’s huge. It basically became the second highest-grossing movie of 2025, only falling behind the animated powerhouse Ne Zha 2. People really showed up for the nostalgia, and it turns out that "Experiment 626" still has a massive pull.
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The Cast and Creative Team
Part of why it worked was the weirdly perfect casting. They didn't just go for the biggest names on the planet; they actually kept it grounded.
- Maia Kealoha as Lilo: She was a total newcomer, only about six or seven when she was cast. Her energy was exactly what the movie needed—weird, sweet, and totally believable as a kid who would try to "tame" an alien.
- Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch: This was non-negotiable. Sanders co-directed the original and is the voice. If they had hired a celebrity to "reimagine" the voice, the internet probably would have rioted.
- Sydney Agudong as Nani: There was some initial controversy about her casting regarding skin tone, but her performance as the stressed-out older sister actually won most people over.
- The Aliens: Zach Galifianakis played Jumba and Billy Magnussen played Pleakley. Instead of them being purely CGI or wearing heavy prosthetics, they used a mix of "human disguises" that felt a lot like the original cartoon's gag.
What People Got Wrong About the Movie
Before it came out, everyone was terrified that Stitch was going to look "creepy." Remember the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog? That was the fear.
But Dean Fleischer Camp—the guy who directed Marcel the Shell with Shoes On—handled the direction. He’s basically a specialist in making small, weird creatures feel adorable and real. When the first teaser dropped in March 2025 showing Stitch hotwiring a toy jeep, the "CGI fear" mostly evaporated. He looked like a koala-dog thing that you’d actually want to pet, even if he was actively destroying your house.
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Another misconception was that this was a sequel. It’s not. It’s a beat-for-beat (mostly) remake of the first 2002 film. They did change a few things—Cobra Bubbles (played by Courtney B. Vance) is still around, but they added a social worker character named Mrs. Kekoa (played by Tia Carrere, who was the original voice of Nani!) to add some layers to the family dynamic.
Is There a New One Coming Out?
Since the 2025 movie was such a monster hit, Disney didn't wait long. As of early 2026, they have already officially greenlit a sequel.
We don't have a specific date for Lilo & Stitch 2 (not to be confused with the old direct-to-video sequel Stitch Has a Glitch), but the rumors are pointing toward a 2027 or 2028 release. The main cast is expected to return, and given how much money the first one made, expect a much bigger budget for more alien experiments to show up.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you've already seen the movie and want more, or if you're just catching up now, here’s how to dive deeper:
- Check the Extras on Disney+: There is a "special look" featurette that shows how they built the physical Stitch puppets used on set to help Maia Kealoha interact with "nothing" before the CGI was added.
- Watch the Original: If it's been a decade, go back and watch the 2002 version. The remake is great, but the watercolor backgrounds of the original are still some of the best in animation history.
- Keep an eye on the "Lilo & Stitch 2" production news: Following Dean Fleischer Camp on social media is usually the best way to get behind-the-scenes crumbs before the official Disney PR machine starts up.
The movie is out, the records are broken, and it’s safe to say that Ohana is still a very profitable business for Disney.