When Is It On Disney Plus? Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, Elio, Lilo & Stitch and More 2025 Releases

As summer 2025 heats up, Disney’s blockbuster lineup is dominating theaters worldwide, blending high-stakes superhero epics, cosmic family adventures, and heartfelt live-action remakes that tug at nostalgia strings. But for those craving cozy couch marathons, the big question lingers: when will these hits beam onto Disney Plus? From Marvel’s anti-hero chaos in Thunderbolts to Pixar’s interstellar whimsy in Elio, we’ll dive into estimated streaming timelines, influenced by box office buzz and Disney’s evolving release playbook—hinting at surprises like sequels and franchise crossovers that could redefine your watchlist.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• Disney’s 2025 theatrical hits typically hit Disney Plus 90-120 days after cinema release.
• Box office success delays streaming; underperformers arrive faster.
• Thunderbolts: August 27, 2025 on Disney Plus.
• The Fantastic Four: First Steps: November 5, 2025 (estimated) on Disney Plus.
• Elio: September 24, 2025 (estimated) on Disney Plus.
• Lilo & Stitch: September 3, 2025 on Disney Plus.
• More 2025 releases include Ironheart, Phineas and Ferb, and Marvel Zombies.

Disney’s Streaming Strategy: How Box Office Buzz Shapes the Wait

Disney has refined its approach to getting movies from the silver screen to your streaming queue, prioritizing theatrical runs to capitalize on global hype before unlocking home viewing.

Typically, big releases enjoy an exclusive cinema window of 90 to 120 days, allowing studios to rake in ticket sales and premium formats like IMAX. Once that wraps, digital rentals and purchases hit platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV about 45 to 65 days post-premiere, followed by Disney Plus debuts around the three-month mark.

But here’s the twist: box office performance plays a starring role. Smash hits like the billion-dollar Lilo & Stitch remake extend their theater stays, pushing streaming dates back to milk every dollar—think 100+ days for crowd-pleasers versus quicker 80-day turnarounds for underperformers.

Flops? They might fast-track to streaming to recoup costs via subscriptions. This year’s slate, packed with Marvel muscle and Pixar heart, leans toward longer waits as early earnings soar. With Disney Plus boasting over 150 million subscribers, these delays build anticipation, but they also spotlight how financial firepower dictates your binge schedule.

Thunderbolts: Anti-Hero Mayhem Hits the Small Screen Soon

Marvel’s Thunderbolts, the gritty Phase 5 capper, assembled an unlikely squad of MCU misfits—Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and more—for a high-octane mission against shadowy forces led by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Directed by Jake Schreier, this dysfunctional team’s tale of redemption and explosive action skipped the origin retread, diving straight into moral gray areas and mental health nods that critics called “a breath of fresh air for the franchise.”

The film rocketed into theaters on May 2, 2025, earning positive reviews with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score for its self-aware humor and character depth. Box office-wise, it pulled in $382.4 million worldwide—solid but no Endgame-level juggernaut, landing as 2025’s 10th highest-grosser amid stiff summer competition. That middling haul likely sped up its streaming pivot, with Disney confirming a Disney Plus drop on August 27, 2025, just 117 days later. If you’re itching for a rewatch, grab it digitally now via PVOD, but the full anti-hero squad unites on Disney Plus by late August—perfect timing before Phase 6 ramps up.

Fantastic Four: First Steps – A Retro-Futuristic Epic’s Streaming Horizon

The long-awaited MCU debut of Marvel’s First Family arrived with The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25, 2025, directed by Matt Shakman. Set in a groovy 1960s-inspired alternate universe (Earth-828), it follows Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they juggle heroism and family ties against cosmic threats like Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Bypassing a full origin story, the film dives into their celebrity status and world-saving duties, blending optimism, tech wizardry, and emotional bonds in a visually stunning package.

Critics raved with an 87% approval, praising the retro aesthetics and family focus as a “strong MCU reset.” It grossed $492.4 million globally so far, outpacing recent Marvel entries and cementing its status as 2025’s top superhero flick. Strong earnings mean a deliberate streaming delay—expect digital PVOD in late September (around September 23), with Disney Plus arrival on November 5, 2025 (estimated), about 103 days post-theater. This extended window lets the film’s IMAX spectacle linger in cinemas, but it’ll stretch your wait for home heroics.

Elio: Pixar’s Cosmic Kid Adventure Blasts to Streaming

Pixar’s Elio beamed into theaters on June 20, 2025, under the direction of Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina. This original tale stars 11-year-old space nut Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab), who gets zapped to the Communiverse—an intergalactic hub—mistaken for Earth’s ambassador. Teaming with quirky aliens like Glordon (Remy Edgerly) and Aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña), Elio navigates crises, forges bonds, and uncovers his true self amid stunning visuals of microscopic-inspired worlds and fluid tech.

It earned positive buzz with an 83% critics score for its imaginative heart and humor, though box office woes ($152.2 million against a $150-200 million budget) marked it as a disappointment amid family film fatigue. Underperformance accelerated its home release: digital PVOD hit August 19 (60 days post-premiere), Blu-ray/DVD September 9, and Disney Plus on September 24, 2025 (estimated), roughly 96 days after theaters. A quicker turnaround suits its streaming-first vibe, letting Pixar’s charm shine without prolonged cinema limbo.

Lilo & Stitch: Live-Action Heartwarmer’s Ohana Expands to Streaming

Dean Fleischer Camp’s live-action Lilo & Stitch splashed into theaters on May 23, 2025, reimagining the 2002 animated gem with fresh Hawaiian flair. Young Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha) adopts chaotic alien Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders), forging an unbreakable bond with sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) amid alien chases and family mending. Blending CGI Stitch with authentic island vibes, it honors ‘ohana while adding new songs and emotional layers from talents like Zach Galifianakis and Hannah Waddingham.

Mostly positive reviews (around 80% fresh) hailed its touching update and cultural respect, but the real star was the box office: a whopping $1.001 billion worldwide, 2025’s first Hollywood billion-dollar smash and top earner yet. That triumph delayed streaming—digital PVOD July 22 (60 days), physical August 26, and Disney Plus on September 3, 2025, 103 days post-theater. The extended run maximizes merch and sequel hype (already greenlit), but ohana calls from your screen soon.

Other Confirmed Disney Plus Releases Lighting Up 2025

Beyond the summer heavy-hitters, Disney Plus is stacking its slate with fresh originals, revivals, and franchise fun. Here’s a bulleted rundown of confirmed drops through year’s end—dates subject to tweaks, but primed for binges:

• Ironheart (Marvel Series Premiere, June 24): Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) suits up in Chicago against magic-wielding foes like The Hood (Anthony Ramos)—three episodes drop first, wrapping July 15.
• Phineas and Ferb Season 5 (June): The inventive brothers tackle 104 summer days with new antics; first 10 episodes premiere mid-month.
• Win or Lose (Pixar Series, February 4? Delayed to later): Pixar’s first series follows a softball team through quirky perspectives—full season expected early 2025.
• Eyes of Wakanda (Marvel Animated, August 6): Wakandan warriors hunt Vibranium artifacts across history; all episodes at once.
• Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (July): Zed and Addison’s road trip unleashes vampire chaos—Disney Channel original hits streaming post-premiere.
• Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 (October 29): Nine anime shorts from studios like Production I.G. twist Star Wars lore.
• Marvel Zombies (September 24): Undead Avengers in a post-apocalyptic bite-fest; animated horror-comedy series.
• Project Runway Season 21 (Ongoing, Episodes Weekly from Late August): Heidi Klum hosts fashion battles—new episodes through fall.
• Andor Season 2 Finale Episodes (May): Cassian’s Rebel arc wraps with high-stakes betrayals.
• Daredevil: Born Again (March Premiere, Episodes Through Summer): Matt Murdock vs. Wilson Fisk in gritty street-level drama.

These gems span Marvel mayhem, Pixar innovation, and Star Wars spins, ensuring Disney Plus stays the go-to for 2025 escapism. With theatrical-to-streaming shifts hinging on hits like these, expect more announcements as fall unfolds.

Sources

• Domestic Box Office For 2025 – Box Office Mojo
• Disney’s Full Movie Release Schedule Through 2031 – Business Insider
• 100+ Movies & Shows Coming to Disney Plus (2025-On) | Full Release Schedule
• UPCOMING DISNEY MOVIES (2025-2028) – IMDb
• Lilo & Stitch Is First 2025 Movie to Hit $1 Billion at Global Box Office – Variety
• 2025 | Disney Wiki | Fandom
• What’s on Disney+: Movies and Shows for September 2025 – Variety
• Next on Disney+: June 2025 | Disney Plus Press

Compiled by Ivy Adams for Pirates & Princesses.