Disney's Lilo & Stitch 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2025 live-action adaptation of the beloved animated movie, has found its director, and who better than the man who co-created, co-wrote, and co-directed the original animated film?
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Sanders has been tapped to direct the sequel to Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch blockbuster.
Sanders, who also voiced the character of Stitch in both the animated and live-action versions, is said to have already been "deeply involved" with the movie as its screenwriter. Production on the sequel is already underway, with shooting expected to begin later this year.
The 2002 original was an anomaly for Walt Disney Animation Studios. It ditched the fairy tale tropes and the traditional villains to focus on a grounded, emotional story in Hawaii. Built around the concept of ohana, the film tackled themes of grief and found family in a way Disney rarely attempted at the time.
It was a massive success, both critically and commercially. The film pulled in $273 million worldwide, landed two Annie Award nominations, and snagged an Oscar nod for Best Animated Feature, ultimately losing to Spirited Away.
Sanders wasn't involved much creatively in the 2025 remake, though he continued to lend his voice for Stitch. Instead, Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes penned the script with Dean Fleischer Camp directing. So Sanders' return marks a bit of a eagerly awaited homecoming for the franchise's creator.
The 2025 film was a smash hit, earning $182.6 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend, making it the highest-grossing Memorial Day opening of all time, surpassing Top Gun: Maverick's $160.5 million record from 2022. It became the first release of 2025 to cross $1 billion globally, closing out its run with $416.2 million domestic and $584.8 million from international markets.
Critics had a more mixed reaction. The film holds a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, well below the original’s acclaim. While some reviewers enjoyed the character's charm, others felt the movie struggled to distinguish itself from the source material. A common critique centered on the removal of Gantu and an action-heavy finale that felt disconnected from the emotional core of the story.
Fans, though, largely loved it. The film boasts a 93% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes, actually outperforming the animated original. The story resonated deeply with families and Gen Z viewers, even if some felt the changes to the ending didn't quite land the message of ohana.
Not much is known about the current sequel though it is expected to feature an original story. However, it will be interesting to see if Disney opts to introduce Experiment 624, better known as Angel, in the sequel. She's one of the franchise's most popular characters and was briefly referenced in the 2025 movie.