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Live-Action 'Lilo & Stitch' Breaks Records with $14.5M Preview, Eyes $165M Weekend

Disney's remake garners strong audience reception and commercial momentum, sparking sequel discussions despite cultural critique concerns.

Stitch standing on a bed wearing a lei in the live-action 'Lilo & Stitch'.
Lilo (Maia Kealoha, left) and sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) sing and play ukulele on a hammock in "Lilo and Stitch."
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Overview

  • Disney's live-action 'Lilo & Stitch' earned a record-breaking $14.5 million in Thursday previews, marking a strong start to its theatrical run.
  • The film holds a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes but a more moderate 69% critics' rating, reflecting praise for performances and faithfulness but criticism for its sanitized cultural context.
  • Maia Kealoha's breakout performance as Lilo has been widely celebrated, with director Dean Fleischer Camp highlighting her natural talent and emotional depth.
  • The remake, set and filmed on Oahu, departs from the original's Kauaʻi setting and omits much of its cultural commentary on Hawaiian life and tourism’s impact.
  • Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Alan Bergman has hinted at plans for a sequel, citing the film’s early commercial success and its franchise potential.