The live-action adaptation of Moana is set to hit theaters, and Disney is optimistic about replicating the success of it’s billion-dollar blockbuster, Lilo & Stitch. Despite numerous vocal criticisms on social media regarding live-action remakes, these films continue to be produced due to their vast audience appeal. The online critics represent a small fraction of the ticket-buying public, which is why these adaptations keep coming.
The films have thrived ever since the live-action remake of Alice In Wonderland. Although some, like The Jungle Book, are exceptional adaptations, others fall short of expectations. Nevertheless, even those films that received lukewarm reviews, such as the 2019 Lion King live-action remake (which holds a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), managed to rake in an impressive $1.6 billion globally.
Lilo & Stitch demonstrated that even in 2025, when audiences voiced their dissatisfaction over a lack of innovation in the franchise, it still managed to gross an impressive $1.03 billion globally. In the same year, DreamWorks’ animated feature How To Train Your Dragon was remade with minimal alterations from the original, yet it still earned $636 million worldwide.
Both films are considered success stories, but Disney aspires for Moana to achieve the same level of success as Lilo & Stitch, a feat that may prove to be unattainable.
The Live-Action Remake of Lilo & Stitch Achieved A Remarkable Milestone, Grossing Over A Billion Dollars
The success of Lilo & Stitch is nothing short of remarkable, and it shouldn’t catch anyone off guard who appreciates the franchise. Although the remake appeared unnecessary given that Stitch is animated in both films, the story encompasses more than just the lovable troublemaker.
Lilo & Stitch connects with those who feel like misfits, especially young girls watching. The live-action version hit a home run with Maia Kealoha portraying Lilo, and her performance was pivotal in making this remake shine. Although that was significant, another factor contributed to Lilo & Stitch’s Box Office success.
It premiered on May 23, 2025, coinciding with Memorial Day weekend, giving it an extended weekend advantage. It’s sole competitor was Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which did not perform well. Additionally, it was the only family-friendly film available that weekend, with the only other contender being A Minecraft Movie, which was already in it’s eighth week of release.
What made the situation even more favorable was the slow arrival of competition. The following weekend featured Karate Kid – Legends, which also failed to meet expectations, allowing Lilo & Stitch to maintain it’s top position for a second consecutive week.
It wasn’t until June 13 that it faced significant competition for family audiences, with the release of the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. Additionally, for those curious about why that film didn’t perform better at the Box Office, it was up against Lilo & Stitch, and Pixar’s Elio debuted just a week later.
The Live-Action Remake of Moana Is Up Against A Competitive Summer Filled With Family Films
Disney aims for Moana to achieve the same success as Lilo & Stitch, but it may encounter challenges similar to those faced by How to Train Your Dragon. In reality, Moana is up against even tougher competition than that film did last year.
The current competition in theaters is formidable. Toy Story 5 has been showing for three weeks and still managed to earn $31 million in it’s third weekend domestically. This impressive performance was sufficient to surpass Supergirl in it’s opening weekend.
Nonetheless, another animated film triumphed at the Box Office this weekend, as Minions & Monsters secured the top spot with $36.4 million. This installment is among the highest-rated in the franchise in recent years, and every film in this series has nearly reached the $1 billion mark.
While Toy Story 5 may hinder it’s chances of achieving those figures, it still poses a significant competition for family audiences. Will Moana be able to withstand the Box Office competition from the formidable Toy Story 5 and the newly released Minions & Monsters?
It is expected to generate revenue and likely secure the top spot during it’s opening weekend. The only rival it faces is Evil Dead Burn, which caters to a completely different demographic. However, it’s momentum may falter the following weekend when Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey premieres.
By the time Spider-Man – Brand New Day debuts on July 31, Moana’s Box Office run may be over. With two major animated films already released and two more poised to potentially reach $1 billion in the coming weeks, Moana’s opportunity is constrained, and it’s likelihood of matching Lilo & Stitch’s success is diminished.
Similar to other high-budget blockbusters in 2026, the summer schedule has been overly crowded, making it difficult for a slow start to gain traction.