It’s official – Disney’s Lilo & Stitch has taken the top spot as the highest-grossing film of 2025 at the Southern African box office. Not bad for a quirky little alien and his Hawaiian best friend.
From Local Favourite to Global Phenomenon
This triumph follows Disney’s box-office domination in 2024, when the studio claimed the top four spots with Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Inside Out 2.
Globally, Lilo & Stitch is also breaking records, becoming the #1 Motion Picture Association (MPA) release of 2025 and the first MPA title this year to cross the $1 billion mark worldwide – with an impressive $584 million from international markets.
It has also become Disney’s highest-grossing live-action film ever in key markets such as Mexico, France, Italy, and Brazil.
A Story That Connects Audiences
Christine Service, General Manager of DTC and Media Networks & Country Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Disney EMEA, says:
“At Disney, we know that storytelling has the power to connect all of us. Lilo & Stitch is one such example, and we are thrilled at the wonderful response from South African cinema-goers, fans, and families to this heartfelt big-screen adventure.”
About the Film
Lilo & Stitch is a live-action reimagining of the much-loved 2002 animated classic – a funny, heartfelt tale of a lonely Hawaiian girl and a mischievous alien on the run.
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), the film stars Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis.
It’s produced by Jonathan Eirich and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman and Ryan Halprin as executive producers.
Where to Watch
If you haven’t experienced the magic yet, Lilo & Stitch is still showing in cinemas across South Africa, delivering joy, laughter, and a few happy tears. For those who prefer a home cinema night, the film will arrive on Disney+ on 3 September 2025.
