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Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Generates Significant Buzz
As Disney looks to make a splash with upcoming blockbuster titles like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Thunderbolts, Zootopia 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash, the anticipation around the live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch is gaining considerable momentum. Originally released in 2002, the animated Lilo & Stitch received both commercial acclaim and critical praise during a challenging era for Disney animation and has since developed a devoted fanbase, particularly around the character of Stitch. While the expectation for the film’s success was already in place, the level of enthusiasm reflected in the trailer views has surpassed many predictions.
According to Deadline, the newly released trailer for Lilo & Stitch amassed an astonishing 158 million views within just 24 hours, marking it as the second most viewed live-action trailer from Walt Disney Studios to date. This surpasses the previous records held by Beauty and the Beast (124 million views) and the initial trailer for Snow White (120 million views). The Lilo & Stitch trailer quickly ranked as the top trending topic on X (formerly Twitter) just one hour post-release, remaining in the top 10 for several hours. However, it still trails behind the teaser for 2019’s The Lion King, which, at 224.6 million views, holds the top spot despite its photorealistic animation rather than a true live-action rendering.
In contrast, Lilo & Stitch‘s viewing figures are notable, yet they still fall short of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which achieved 200 million views shortly after its release. However, the remake has just edged out the first trailer for Inside Out 2, which also garnered 157 million views and ultimately became the highest-grossing film of 2024. While trailer performance does not always translate directly to box office earnings—evidenced by the mixed success of other films like Lightyear, which attracted 83 million views—the impressive viewership for Lilo & Stitch certainly indicates strong public interest.
How Big Can ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Get?
Set to be released during Memorial Day weekend, Lilo & Stitch will face stiff competition from Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning. This will mark the second box office duel between Tom Cruise and the beloved character Stitch, reminiscent of their 2002 face-off where Minority Report narrowly outperformed the original Lilo & Stitch in its opening weekend. However, with the current hype and responses to recent franchise installments, the upcoming adaptation may hold a better position against Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to acknowledge that the excitement surrounding the trailer may not be entirely positive. Since its debut, certain fan groups have expressed concerns regarding the creative choices made in the film. For instance, the decision for aliens Jumba and Pleakley to use holographic human disguises rather than more overtly alien attire has drawn critique. Additionally, some fans are disappointed over Disney’s modification of Pleakley’s characterization, particularly regarding clothing choices that seem designed to cater to more conservative audiences. Despite general weariness among some viewers towards live-action remakes, the box office performance of recent films like Mufasa: The Lion King and The Little Mermaid suggests a continued appetite for such adaptations.
With all these factors in play, Lilo & Stitch has the potential to emerge as one of the summer’s cinematic highlights.
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movieweb.com