Unlocking Zillennial Nostalgia: How ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Captivates Today’s Moviegoers

As a childless adult, I found myself in a natural wine bar, killing time before the early evening screening of *Lilo & Stitch*. I was lightly buzzing, a bit embarrassed yet excited. It felt strangely humbling.

Nostalgia hits hard, doesn’t it?

This weekend, a blue alien dog and a spunky six-year-old outshined none other than Tom Cruise at the box office. *Lilo & Stitch* pulled in an impressive $182.7 million, surpassing *Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning* and even *Top Gun: Maverick*. It became the top holiday opener ever.

A family film performing well on a long Memorial Day weekend isn’t shocking. Yet, many were surprised that *Lilo & Stitch*, which might seem like a lesser Disney classic, took the lead. For younger Millennials and older Gen Zers—the so-called Zillennials—this movie holds a special place in their hearts.

Released in 2002, *Lilo & Stitch* came right after Disney’s second golden age, a time when its animated films were struggling. While Pixar was on the rise with hits like *Monsters, Inc.* and *Finding Nemo*, traditional animated features like *Lilo* found themselves overshadowed. Still, *Lilo & Stitch* managed to connect deeply with audiences through toys, video games, and a popular animated series.

Recent data revealed that 56% of ticket buyers for the new film were general audiences—higher than for typical family movies. Among younger viewers, ages 18 to 24, they made up 32% of non-family attendees, with another 33% coming from ages 25 to 34. This loyalty to *Lilo & Stitch* shows the film’s lasting impact.

Interestingly, the new *Lilo & Stitch* was initially set for Disney+ but shifted to a theatrical release. Disney appears to be redirecting its focus, moving back to the big screen and away from purely streaming content.

Back in the early aughts, young audiences had shared movie experiences, often converging at theaters for weeks. Zillennials grew up with this culture, and even with streaming changes, their love for the cinematic experience remains intact.

Many young Disney executives were thrilled to work on this new project, feeling that it brought back childhood memories. This shows how connected they feel to the *Lilo & Stitch* universe.

Coming this summer, we’ll see another nostalgia-driven film, *Freaky Friday*, starring Lindsay Lohan. Unlike many recent Disney releases, it’s hitting theaters instead of streaming. This could be another test of Zillennial box office power.

Last year, Disney announced a sequel to *The Princess Diaries*, a beloved film from 2001. The excitement was palpable, with over three million likes on Anne Hathaway’s Instagram post announcing it.

Nostalgia isn’t new in entertainment, but it’s starting to touch the Zillennial demographic more. This group is now one of the largest age cohorts in the U.S. On that holiday weekend, they flocked to theaters, eager to relive a part of their childhood. Whether with kids of their own or enjoying a night out, the call of *Stitch* was irresistible. After all, Ohana means family, and no one gets left behind. Especially not at the movies.

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