ENG429/4
SL407/6 (47.2/50 ov, target 430)
FAT1
SHA2
KAI0
PAO4
ARA
AZ
DZG
NEC
FER
TOR
JUV
REN
LECH
SUN
OFI
B04
STG
OLM
USG
HBE
HAZ2
FAY2
AUS-W
NZ-W11/2 (2.4/14 ov)
NAM174 (37.5/50 ov, target 230)
IRE229/9
NZ225/4
IND230/6 (19.4 ov)
EASTN
KZNIN
BCBXI371/7 (90 ov)
WI
IND-W
ZIM-W
LES
ZMB
NGA
MOZ
AFG
ZIM
GMB
UGA
DOLPH
SWD
TAS
VIC
AFG19
BAN19
BAN160
CHN4
SAM0
ESP2
AUS0
Aston Villa3
Viking FK1
Bayern2
Arsenal2
Club Brugge3
Lens0
Inter Milan1
Shakhtar0
Betis1
Feyenoord0
Disney has officially announced that Lilo & Stitch 2 is coming to theaters on May 26, 2028, marking the continuation of one of the studio’s most commercially successful franchises in recent years. The announcement was made by newly appointed Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro during the company’s shareholders meeting on March 18, 2026, signaling the studio’s confidence in the franchise following the massive success of the 2025 live-action remake.
Lilo & Stitch 2 Production and Release Details
The sequel is positioned for Memorial Day weekend 2028, following the same strategic release pattern as the original 2025 film, which became a theatrical sensation and crossed the $1.3 billion mark globally. The tagline “Our ‘ohana is back” accompanies the announcement, invoking the Hawaiian concept of family central to the story’s emotional core.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Film Title | Lilo & Stitch 2 (live-action sequel) |
| Release Date | May 26, 2028 (Memorial Day weekend) |
| Announcement Date | March 18, 2026 (shareholders meeting) |
| Announced By | Josh D’Amaro (Disney CEO, first day in role) |
| Sequel To | Lilo & Stitch live-action remake (2025) |
| Screenplay | Chris Sanders (original creator, returning writer) |
| Voice Actor/Character | Chris Sanders (Stitch, reprising role) |
| Lead Actress | Maia Keoloha (Lilo, confirmed return) |
| Expected Cast Returns | Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis |
| Original Director | Dean Fleischer Camp (2025 film) |
| Returning Director | Status unclear; confirmed return unlikely |
| Genre | Live-action adventure-comedy |
| Original 2002 Film | Animated Lilo & Stitch classic |
2025 Live-Action Film Success Metrics
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Box Office | Over $1.33 billion |
| First Movie to Cross | $1 billion mark in 2025 |
| Opening Weekend | $182 million (Memorial Day 2025) |
| Opening Record | Highest Memorial Day weekend opening ever |
| Previous Record Holder | Top Gun: Maverick ($160.5M in 2023) |
| Domestic Earnings | $423.7 million |
| Overseas Earnings | $614.2 million |
| Rare Achievement | One of few billion-dollar movies of 2025 |
| Billion-Dollar Club | Exclusive club alongside Zootopia 2, Toy Story 5 |
Cast and Creative Team
Maia Keoloha is confirmed to return and play the titular character Lilo in the sequel. Chris Sanders, the original creator and co-director of the 2002 animated film, will return to write the screenplay while also reprising his iconic voice role as Stitch. Supporting cast members including Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis are expected to return, though no official confirmations have been made regarding returning director Dean Fleischer Camp.
The creative continuity represented by Sanders’ involvement as screenwriter signals Disney’s commitment to maintaining the emotional authenticity that made the 2025 live-action adaptation resonate with audiences.
Plot Speculation and Production Timeline
Plot details remain under wraps, though industry speculation suggests the story will need to address controversial narrative choices from the 2025 film. Most notably, the original ending departed significantly from the animated film’s “ohana” message when Nani gave up guardianship of Lilo to attend college, leaving Lilo and Stitch in other hands.
The 2028 release date provides a three-year gap between films—a substantial timeframe that presents creative challenges given child actor aging. Maia Keoloha, who was nine years old during the 2025 filming, will be approximately twelve by 2028, while Sydney Elizebeth Agudong will similarly age considerably.
Strategic Release Positioning
Disney’s selection of Memorial Day weekend 2028 reflects confidence in the franchise’s box office appeal and demonstrates the studio’s strategic understanding of four-quadrant blockbuster positioning. The date provides extended theatrical legs into summer blockbuster season without direct competition from other major releases currently scheduled for that weekend.
The announcement came during Josh D’Amaro’s inaugural shareholders meeting as Disney’s new CEO, positioning the sequel announcement as part of his opening strategic messaging to investors about the studio’s commitment to franchising and live-action adaptations of beloved animated properties.
Read More: Moana Trailer Out: Live-Action Adaptation Premieres First Look
