David Lilo and Tutu Lilo in the Stitch Franchise
David Lilo and Tutu Lilo are characters within the Disney animated franchise Lilo and Stitch. The series centers on a young Hawaiian girl named Lilo Pelekai and her alien companion Stitch, originally designated as Experiment 626. The franchise includes multiple animated films, television series, and related media produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Disney Television Animation. The original 2002 film was directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, with a live-action adaptation released in 2025. Forbes covered the 2025 live-action adaptation. The franchise generated significant merchandise and media revenue for The Walt Disney Company over multiple decades.
The Stitch character was created by Chris Sanders, who also voiced the character in the original animated features. The franchise expanded through direct-to-video sequels and the television series Lilo and Stitch: The Series. Disney's financial reports categorize the franchise under its Studio Entertainment segment, which includes theatrical releases, streaming content, and licensing. The 2025 live-action remake was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, with a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and others. SEC filings for Disney include segment revenue details.
Financial and Corporate Context of the Franchise
The Walt Disney Company reports its Studio Entertainment segment revenue in quarterly and annual financial filings. The Lilo and Stitch franchise contributes to licensing, home entertainment, and streaming viewership metrics tracked by Disney's segment reporting. Disney+ includes the original animated series and films as part of its content library, with viewership data reported in aggregate in Disney's quarterly earnings releases. Forbes provided analysis of the franchise's commercial performance. The franchise's value is tied to intellectual property longevity, merchandise sales, and theme park attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Disney's fiscal year ends in late September, and segment revenue is reported in 10-K annual filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Studio Entertainment segment includes theatrical releases, streaming content, and intellectual property licensing. The Lilo and Stitch franchise is one of several long-running Disney properties that generate recurring revenue through content licensing and consumer products. Disney's 10-K filings detail segment performance. The franchise's continued relevance supports Disney's content strategy across streaming and theatrical platforms.
Key Facts and Data Points
The original Lilo and Stitch film was released in 2002 and grossed over $273 million worldwide against a production budget of approximately $80 million. The franchise includes the original film, three direct-to-video sequels, and a television series with 65 episodes. The 2025 live-action remake was produced with a reported budget in the range of $100 million, though Disney does not officially confirm production budgets in its filings.