Disney Banner is expanding its cinematic universe with the release of two eagerly awaited movies in 2025: Freakier Friday and the live-action Lilo & Stitch.
Freakier Friday, scheduled for an 8 August 2025 release, revives the magic of the 2003 hit comedy. Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween) and Lindsay Lohan (Mean Girls) return as Tess and Anna Coleman, respectively. In this sequel, the story evolves as Anna now faces the challenges of blending families with a daughter and stepdaughter. The prospect of another identity swap looms, promising a fresh twist on the original’s beloved plot.
The film also features returning stars like Mark Harmon (NCIS) and Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill), alongside new faces such as Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever) and Manny Jacinto (The Acolyte). Directed by Nisha Ganatra and produced by a team including Kristin Burr and Andrew Gunn, Freakier Friday aims to capture both new audiences and fans of the original.
Meanwhile, the live-action Lilo & Stitch is set to premiere on 23 May 2025. This film brings to life the 2002 animated classic about a lonely Hawaiian girl and her chaotic yet endearing alien friend, Stitch. Chris Sanders (The Wild Robot) reprises his role as the voice of Stitch, with newcomer Maia Kealoha stepping in as Lilo. The ensemble cast includes Sydney Agudong (On My Block) as Nani, Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) as Jumba, Billy Magnussen (Into the Woods) as Pleakley, and Tia Carrere (Wayne’s World) as Mrs. Kekoa, under the direction of Marcel the Shell with Shoes On‘s Dean Fleischer Camp.
The release dates strategically position these films in a competitive summer schedule. Lilo & Stitch will share its opening weekend with the next Mission: Impossible instalment, targeting different audience demographics. Disney’s confidence in these films reflects its broader strategy to dominate the box office post-pandemic, transitioning from streaming-oriented releases back to theatrical prominence.
Both films are part of Disney’s larger plan to leverage its established franchises while introducing innovative twists that appeal to a broad audience. As these films hit theatres, Disney is poised to continue its tradition of storytelling excellence, blending nostalgia with new adventures to create cinematic experiences that resonate across generations.
Freakier Friday will open in cinemas on 8 August 2025, and Lilo & Stitch is set to premiere on 23 May 2025.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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