History of Lilo & Stitch in Timeline
Lilo & Stitch is a 2002 animated film about a lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo who adopts a strange and destructive creature, Stitch, who is actually a genetic experiment (Experiment 626) that has escaped from an alien planet. Stitch was engineered for destruction, but through Lilo's love and belief in 'ohana' (family), he learns about compassion and belonging. The film follows their journey as they evade Stitch's creator, Dr. Jumba Jookiba, and Agent Pleakley, who are sent to recapture him, as well as Captain Gantu, who is also after Stitch. Ultimately, Stitch finds his place within Lilo's family, demonstrating the power of love and acceptance.
1937: Reference to Snow White
In 1937, the use of watercolor backgrounds in Lilo & Stitch hearkened back to early Disney productions such as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".
1937: Use of Watercolors in Lilo & Stitch
In a deviation from several decades' worth of Disney features, Sanders and DeBlois chose to use watercolor painted backgrounds for Lilo & Stitch, as opposed to the traditional gouache technique, harkening back to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" from 1937.
1940: Reference to Pinocchio
In Lilo & Stitch's production, watercolors were used, reminding of Disney features such as "Pinocchio" in 1940.
1941: Reference to Dumbo
In Lilo & Stitch's production, watercolors were used, reminding of Disney features such as "Dumbo" in 1941.
1951: Alice in Wonderland DVD release mentioned
In 2003, a 2-disc DVD version of Lilo & Stitch was announced to come out along with Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Pocahontas (1995), which were released in 2004 and 2005.
1973: Bubbles' CIA Encounter
In 1973, Bubbles reveals he is a former CIA agent who had previously met the Grand Councilwoman in Roswell, New Mexico.
1981: Kauai featured in Raiders of the Lost Ark
In 1981, the island of Kauaʻi had also been featured in films such as "Raiders of the Lost Ark".
1985: Stitch Character Conception
In 1985, Chris Sanders originally conceived the character Stitch for a children's book that he later abandoned.
1985: Creation of Stitch by Chris Sanders
In 1985, after graduating from California Institute of the Arts, Chris Sanders created the character of Stitch for an unsuccessful children's book pitch.
1987: Chris Sanders Hired by Disney
In 1987, Walt Disney Feature Animation hired Chris Sanders for their newly formed visual development department.
1989: Stitch Invades The Little Mermaid
In 1989, Stitch crashes memorable moments of "The Little Mermaid" in parody teaser trailers for Lilo & Stitch.
1990: Sanders' First Project: The Rescuers Down Under
In 1990, Chris Sanders' first project at Walt Disney Feature Animation was The Rescuers Down Under.
1991: Sanders Storyboards Beauty and the Beast
In 1991, Chris Sanders storyboarded sequences for Beauty and the Beast.
1991: Stitch Invades Beauty and the Beast
In 1991, Stitch crashes memorable moments of "Beauty and the Beast" in parody teaser trailers for Lilo & Stitch.
1992: Stitch Invades Aladdin
In 1992, Stitch crashes memorable moments of "Aladdin" in parody teaser trailers for Lilo & Stitch.
1993: Kauai featured in Jurassic Park trilogy
In 1993, the island of Kauaʻi had also been featured in films such as the "Jurassic Park trilogy".
1994: Sanders Storyboards The Lion King
In 1994, Chris Sanders storyboarded sequences for The Lion King.
1994: Inspiration from Pulp Fiction for Cobra Bubbles
In 1994, Sanders and DeBlois recalled Ving Rhames's performance in "Pulp Fiction" and cast him as Cobra Bubbles.
1994: Stitch Invades The Lion King
In 1994, Stitch crashes memorable moments of "The Lion King" in parody teaser trailers for Lilo & Stitch.
1995: Pocahontas DVD release mentioned
In 2003, a 2-disc DVD version of Lilo & Stitch was announced to come out along with Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Pocahontas (1995), which were released in 2004 and 2005.
1997: Development of Lilo & Stitch film begins
In 1997, Thomas Schumacher approached Chris Sanders with the objective of producing "the Dumbo for our generation," leading to the development of a feature-length film starring Stitch.
1997: Schumacher Suggests a 'Dumbo for Our Generation'
In 1997, at a Disney Feature Animation retreat, Thomas Schumacher suggested producing a film that would be the "Dumbo for our generation" and approached Chris Sanders about producing the film.
1998: Sanders Becomes Head of Story on Mulan
In 1998, Chris Sanders was promoted to Head of Story on Mulan.
1998: Carrere Considered for Mulan
In 1998, Tia Carrere was originally considered for the title character in Mulan, but lost the role to Ming-Na Wen.
1998: Daveigh Chase Cast as Lilo
In the fall of 1998, Daveigh Chase earned the role of Lilo against 150 other candidates.
2001: DeBlois Joins Lilo & Stitch
In 2001, Dean DeBlois, who had served as "story co-head" for Mulan, was brought on to co-write and co-direct Lilo & Stitch after Thomas Schumacher allowed him to leave production on Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
2001: Kauai featured in Jurassic Park trilogy
In 2001, the island of Kauaʻi had also been featured in films such as the "Jurassic Park trilogy".
June 11, 2002: Soundtrack Release
On June 11, 2002, the film's soundtrack, "Lilo & Stitch: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack", was released by Walt Disney Records on Audio CD and Compact Cassette.
June 16, 2002: Lilo & Stitch Premiere
On June 16, 2002, Lilo & Stitch premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles.
December 3, 2002: Lilo & Stitch VHS and DVD Release
On December 3, 2002, Lilo & Stitch was released on VHS and DVD.
2002: Release of Lilo & Stitch film
In 2002, Walt Disney Pictures released "Lilo & Stitch", an American animated science fiction comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. The film was written and directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois.
2002: Box Office Performance
In 2002, at the end of its theatrical run, Lilo & Stitch earned $145.8 million in the U.S. and Canada, and $127.3 million internationally, totaling $273.1 million worldwide, becoming the second-highest-grossing animated film of the year.
June 23, 2003: Soundtrack Album Certified Platinum
On June 23, 2003, the "Lilo & Stitch: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack" soundtrack album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of 1 million units.
August 26, 2003: Release of Stitch! The Movie
On August 26, 2003, Disney released Stitch! The Movie, a direct-to-video sequel that also served as the pilot for the Lilo & Stitch: The Series.
September 20, 2003: Premiere of Lilo & Stitch: The Series
On September 20, 2003, Lilo & Stitch: The Series premiered, continuing the story of Lilo and Stitch as they capture and rehabilitate Jumba's remaining experiments. The show ran for 65 episodes.
2003: 2-disc DVD version announced
In 2003, a 2-disc DVD version of Lilo & Stitch was announced to come out along with Alice in Wonderland and Pocahontas.
November 10, 2004: 2-Disc Special Edition DVD Release in Australia
On November 10, 2004, a 2-Disc Special Edition DVD of the film was released in Australia.
2004: Alice in Wonderland released on DVD
In 2004, Alice in Wonderland was released on DVD after announcement in 2003.
August 22, 2005: 2-Disc Special Edition DVD Release in the UK
On August 22, 2005, a 2-Disc Special Edition DVD of the film was released in the UK, along with the UK release of Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch.
August 30, 2005: Release of Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch
On August 30, 2005, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, another direct-to-video sequel to the film, was released. The film explores Stitch's glitch and Lilo's hula aspirations.
2005: Pocahontas released on DVD
In 2005, Pocahontas was released on DVD after announcement in 2003.
June 23, 2006: Airing of Leroy & Stitch
On June 23, 2006, the television film Leroy & Stitch aired, concluding the original Hawaiian-based storyline of the Lilo & Stitch franchise that focused on Lilo Pelekai.
July 29, 2006: Final Episode of Lilo & Stitch: The Series
On July 29, 2006, the final episode of Lilo & Stitch: The Series aired, concluding the series after 65 episodes. The show charted Lilo and Stitch's efforts to capture and rehabilitate Jumba's remaining experiments.
March 2008: Announcement of Stitch! anime
In March 2008, Disney announced an anime based on the Lilo & Stitch franchise called Stitch!, aimed at the Japanese market, featuring Yuna Kamihara instead of Lilo.
October 2008: Premiere of Stitch! anime series
In October 2008, the Stitch! anime series premiered, featuring Yuna Kamihara in place of Lilo and set in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
March 24, 2009: "Big Wave Edition" DVD Release
On March 24, 2009, Disney finally released the special edition DVD, called the "Big Wave Edition".
March 2011: End of Stitch! anime series
In March 2011, the Stitch! anime series concluded its run. The anime series, which ran as a series from October 2008 to March 2011, features a Japanese girl named Yuna Kamihara in place of Lilo.
2012: Post-series special of Stitch! anime
In 2012, one of the two post-series specials of the Stitch! anime was released. The anime series features a Japanese girl named Yuna Kamihara in place of Lilo.
June 11, 2013: Blu-ray and DVD Re-release
On June 11, 2013, Lilo & Stitch was released on Blu-ray and re-released on DVD alongside Lilo & Stitch 2 in a "2-Movie Collection".
2015: Post-series special of Stitch! anime
In 2015, one of the two post-series specials of the Stitch! anime was released. The anime series features a Japanese girl named Yuna Kamihara in place of Lilo.
January 31, 2017: "2-Movie Collection" Re-release
On January 31, 2017, the "2-Movie Collection" was re-released containing only the Blu-ray and a code to redeem a digital download of the two films.
April 6, 2017: Airing of Stitch & Ai in China
From March 27 to April 6, 2017, the English-language Chinese animated television series Stitch & Ai aired in China with a Mandarin Chinese dub, featuring Wang Ai Ling instead of Lilo.
February 2018: Airing of Stitch & Ai in Southeast Asia
In February 2018, the original English production of Stitch & Ai aired in Southeast Asia. The series is set in the Huangshan mountains and features Wang Ai Ling instead of Lilo.
October 2018: Development of live-action remake announced
In October 2018, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Walt Disney Pictures was developing a live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, with Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich producing.
November 2020: Jon M. Chu in talks to direct live-action remake
In November 2020, it was reported that Jon M. Chu was in talks to direct the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, with the release format (theaters or Disney+) remaining unclear.
July 2022: Dean Fleischer Camp replaced Chu as director
In July 2022, Dean Fleischer Camp replaced Jon M. Chu as the director of the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake.
August 9, 2022: "2-Movie Collection" Re-release with Bonus Features
On August 9, 2022, another re-release of the "2-Movie Collection" placed both films on separate Blu-ray discs that also contain most of their original DVD bonus features, the two DVDs from the first Blu-ray collection, and a digital download code.
2022: UK Edit Standardized
In 2022, the UK edit of Lilo & Stitch, which altered a scene where Lilo hid in a clothes dryer to avoid influencing children, became the standardized version of the film across all regions.
February 2023: Zach Galifianakis joined the cast
In February 2023, Zach Galifianakis joined the cast of the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake.
March 17, 2023: "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" Certified Platinum
On March 17, 2023, the song "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" received Platinum certification from the RIAA for reaching 1 million certified units.
March 31, 2023: Maia Kealoha cast as Lilo
On March 31, 2023, Maia Kealoha was announced as the actress cast to play Lilo in the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake.
April 21, 2023: Cast confirmations for Jumba and Pleakley
On April 21, 2023, Zach Galifianakis was confirmed to play Jumba, and Billy Magnussen was confirmed to play Pleakley in the live-action remake. Chris Sanders was in final negotiations to voice Stitch.
August 2024: Film release date shifted to 2025
In August 2024, the release of the Lilo & Stitch movie was shifted to a summer 2025 theatrical release.
2024: DreamWorks Animation's The Wild Robot
In 2024, Chris Sanders would eventually revisit his idea of a creature bonding with animals in a forest years later with DreamWorks Animation's The Wild Robot.
May 6, 2025: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Release
On May 6, 2025, a newly restored and remastered version of the film is set to be released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
May 23, 2025: Film release date announced
Two months after the shift in August 2024, the Lilo & Stitch movie was given a release date of May 23, 2025, in the United States.
2025: Live-Action Adaptation Release
In 2025, a live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch is set to be released.
2025: UK Edit Used for Ultra HD Blu-ray Release
In 2025, the UK edit is used for the Ultra HD Blu-ray release, as well as nearly all digital releases from 2025 onward.
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