Lilo & Stitch Shatters Expectations: Lands Top 5 RT Score Among Disney Live-Action Remakes

The audience rating for the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch on Rotten Tomatoes has been revealed, placing the film among the top five Disney adaptations in this format. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, this remake revisits the story of the 2002 animated favorite, chronicling the adventures of Stitch, a blue alien, and his unique friendship with Lilo, a young girl from Hawaii. Chris Sanders reprises his role as the voice of Stitch, while Maia Kealoha takes on the character of Lilo. This movie is part of Disney’s ongoing series of live-action adaptations, following the less successful release of Snow White earlier in the year.

Since its theatrical debut, Rotten Tomatoes has recorded a high Popcornmeter audience score of 93% for Lilo & Stitch, based on more than 1,000 verified reviews. Although this score might change with additional reviews, the film is currently in a tie for fourth place with The Little Mermaid (2023) in the top-five Disney live-action remakes according to the Popcornmeter. The film received a modest critical reception, earning a score of 68%. The top five Disney remakes ranked by Popcornmeter are listed below:

What This Means For Lilo & Stitch

Will It Be A Hit?

Typically, Disney’s live-action remakes have received mixed reviews from critics, often being seen as commercial rather than artistic ventures. Nonetheless, these films tend to resonate well with audiences, as evidenced by the strong Popcornmeter score for Lilo & Stitch. This suggests potential success at the box office.

However, it’s important to remember that not all films on the top-five list have been box office successes. For instance, Cruella (2021) earned just $233 million globally, debuting during the peak of the pandemic, which complicates its financial assessment. Before the pandemic, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) made $491 million, which was seen as a modest performance. Conversely, Aladdin (2019) was a major success, earning $1.097 billion despite mixed critical reviews. The Little Mermaid garnered $569 million, which was considered underwhelming given its massive $240 million budget.

While high audience scores can generate buzz, they do not always predict box office success. Nonetheless, Lilo & Stitch has opened to significant anticipation, making $14 million in Thursday previews alone, suggesting a promising start for this latest Disney remake following the disappointment of Snow White.

Our Perspective on Lilo & Stitch’s Popcornmeter Score

Stitch’s Appeal in Live-Action

The original Lilo & Stitch holds a special place in the hearts of many as a unique Disney animated film with its distinctive Hawaiian setting and memorable soundtrack featuring Elvis songs. Stitch became particularly beloved for his humorous and mischievous personality.

It appears that the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch successfully captures the charm and uniqueness of the original, appealing to both new and returning audiences. While long-term success remains to be seen, the film has certainly made a positive impression on viewers at the outset.