Lilo & Stitch: Disney’s Cheapest Live-Action Remake Poised for Profit, Unlike Snow White

Disney’s wallet is breathing easy with Lilo & Stitch, their cheapest live-action remake yet at a modest $100 million budget, poised to turn a tidy profit while Snow White drowns in a $300 million budget avalanche.

The remake of the beloved 2002 animated classic is already generating buzz, with early box office tracking suggesting it could outgross Snow White’s entire domestic run in its Memorial Day weekend debut alone.

Meanwhile, Snow White’s $300 million price tag has left Disney in the red, needing a fairy-tale miracle to break even. Let’s break down the numbers, compare these two remakes, and see why Lilo & Stitch is shaping up to be a galactic win for the Mouse House.

Lilo & Stitch: Disney’s Budget-Friendly Remake

Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch is the underdog hero of their remake slate, clocking in at a lean $100 million budget—the cheapest live-action remake in the studio’s history. This frugal approach stands in stark contrast to Disney’s usual blockbuster spending. With estimated marketing costs around $100 million, the film only needs about $200 million globally to break even—a low bar for a Disney remake.

The original Lilo & Stitch (2002) grossed $273 million worldwide on an $80 million budget, proving the franchise’s profit potential. Initially planned for a streaming release on Disney+, the shift to a theatrical rollout has fans cheering. With its budget in check, Lilo & Stitch is ready to surf its way to success.

Snow White: A Budget Disaster in the Making

On the other end of the spectrum, Disney’s live-action Snow White became a cautionary tale with a $270 million production budget that ballooned to $300 million after reshoots. To break even, Snow White needed to gross $427.8 million globally—a tall order it couldn’t meet, earning just $182.3 million worldwide, including a measly $82 million domestically.

The film faced backlash for cultural inaccuracies and a controversial release, which tanked its performance. Fans have even noted that Lilo & Stitch could help Disney make back what they lost on Snow White. The flop highlights the risks of overspending on remakes, especially when audience reception sours.

Early Tracking: Lilo & Stitch Outshines Snow White’s Run

Early box office tracking for Lilo & Stitch is giving Disney reason to hula dance, projecting a $100 million domestic haul over its Memorial Day weekend debut. That figure would surpass Snow White’s entire domestic run of $82 million in just one weekend—a stark contrast that has fans buzzing. If Lilo & Stitch hits this mark, it would rank among the biggest opening weekends for Disney live-action remakes, behind:

• The Lion King: $191.7 million

• Beauty and the Beast: $174.7 million

• The Jungle Book: $103.2 million

The film’s trailer has already racked up 158 million views, making it Disney’s second-most viewed live-action trailer ever. Momentum is clearly on Stitch’s side.

Profit Potential: A Tale of Two Break-Even Points

The financial stakes for Lilo & Stitch and Snow White couldn’t be more different. With a $100 million production budget and an estimated $100 million in marketing, Lilo & Stitch only needs $200 million to break even—a goal that seems well within reach given its strong tracking and franchise legacy. Some fans are even predicting a billion-dollar run, though a more modest $400 million would still make it a resounding success. In contrast, Snow White’s bloated $300 million budget required $427.8 million to break even—a target it missed by over $245 million. The disparity underscores how Lilo & Stitch’s lean budget gives it room to win, while Snow White’s overspending left little margin for error.

What’s Next: Lilo & Stitch’s Path to Success

Lilo & Stitch is shaping up to be a financial win for Disney, proving that smaller budgets can still yield big returns. Its Memorial Day release, strong early tracking, and record-breaking trailer position it to become one of Disney’s most successful live-action remakes. Meanwhile, Snow White’s costly misstep serves as a warning about overspending, especially when paired with divisive reception. As Lilo & Stitch prepares to hit theaters, Disney is hoping this Hawaiian adventure will stitch up the wounds left by Snow White—and by all accounts, it just might.

Sources:

• @HollywoodHandle, Post ID: 1924187507312181523, May 18, 2025

• ComicBook.com, “Lilo & Stitch Is Tracking to Out-Gross Snow White’s Entire Box Office in One Weekend,” April 15, 2025

• Forbes, “How Much Does Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Need To Gross To Break Even?,” March 30, 2025

• GameRant, “Lilo and Stitch’s Early Box Office Tracking Is Unexpected,” April 13, 2025

News compiled and edited by Ivy Adams.