Lilo & Stitch (2002) Opening Weekend Box Office: Verified Facts and Context
Lilo & Stitch opened during summer 2002 with a strong but not record-breaking performance. This evergreen explainer focuses on what the opening weekend box office actually was, how it compared to other releases that week, and why the film’s long-term earnings and cultural reach matter more than any single-week snapshot.
Opening Weekend Performance: Verified Numbers
In its opening weekend, Lilo & Stitch earned approximately $36.9 million from North American theaters. This placed it at #2 at the domestic box office for that weekend, behind the debut of Spider-Man, which anchored the top slot. The film’s per-screen average and audience reception were strong, but the competitive superhero landscape shaped the headline narrative.
Weekend Rank and Market Position
- Rank: #2 domestically
- Key competitor: Spider-Man (opening weekend leader)
- Per-screen average: solid for a wide release
North American Opening Weekend Table
| Metric | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Weekend Gross (Domestic) | $36.9 million | Box Office Mojo / industry reports |
| Domestic Rank | #2 | Weekly box office charts |
| Competitor at #1 | Spider-Man (Sam Raimi) | Same weekend period |
| Theater Count | ~3,200–3,500 locations | Exhibitor data |
Factors That Shaped the Opening
Lilo & Stitch opened in a crowded summer window where superhero narratives dominated attention and ticket decisions. The film benefited from Disney brand strength, broad family appeal, and positive word-of-mouth, but it entered a market conditioned for event-scale superhero launches. This context explains why the gross was robust yet placed second for the weekend.
Full Theatrical Run and Long-Term Box Office
Beyond the opening weekend, Lilo & Stitch accumulated substantial long-term value. Its domestic total is commonly reported near $273 million, with international estimates pushing global earnings significantly higher. Strong ancillary markets, home video performance, and continued re-releases contributed to a durable earnings profile far exceeding any single-week snapshot.
| Metric | Estimate | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Total | ~$273 million | Box Office Mojo long-term tally |
| International Total | Estimate varies widely; often $300M–$500M+ range cited | Territory-by-territory reporting varies |
| Home Video and Ancillary | Significant additional revenue | DVD, VOD, streaming, merchandise |
Legacy and Comparative Position
When evaluated as an evergreen property, Lilo & Stitch holds a distinct niche within Disney’s 2000s output. Its financial profile differs from tentpole action franchises, but its cultural footprint, sequel activity, and television expansion demonstrate lasting value. Comparing opening weekends in isolation can understate how sustained audience engagement translated into long-term profitability.
Why Opening Weekend Context Still Matters
Opening weekend box office helps frame industry positioning and initial audience momentum, but for Lilo & Stitch, the larger story is durability. Marketing timing, franchise expansion, and cross-platform presence allowed the property to thrive well beyond its first week. Understanding this progression offers a clearer template for evaluating similar family-oriented animated features.
Tags: lilo and stitch box office, disney animated box office, lilo and stitch 2002 performance