“Lilo & Stitch” Doubles Opening Weekend on Children’s Day in Nigeria

Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” more than doubled its opening weekend gross in Nigeria thanks to the Children’s Day holiday, which fell shortly after its debut—an uncommon feat for any title.

However, while the animated remake saw a notable surge in ticket sales, it failed to spark the same level of enthusiasm among Nigerian audiences compared to its performance in other international markets.

The live-action remake of the beloved 2002 animated classic debuted with ₦8.5 million during its opening weekend (May 23–25), placing sixth at the Nigerian box office. While this figure pales in comparison to the film’s record $146 million launch in the United States, its Nigerian performance took a surprising and encouraging turn just days later.

By May 27—Children’s Day in Nigeria—“Lilo & Stitch” had pulled in an additional ₦20 million, more than doubling its opening gross. The surge, though remarkable, isn’t entirely unexpected. As a family-friendly PG film rooted in nostalgia, the movie resonates strongly with audiences under 30. Children’s Day, a holiday dedicated to kids, is especially big in cities like Lagos and Abuja, where a trip to the cinema is a popular way for parents to treat their children.

Here are the top movies in Nigeria (according to Nigerian Box Office on X).

1 ⁠⁠Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: ₦84 million (Weekend 1)

2 ⁠⁠Ori: The Rebirth: ₦30.7 million (Weekend 4)

3 Sinners: ₦30 million (Weekend 6)

4 ⁠⁠My Mother is A Witch: ₦26.3 million (Weekend 1)

5 ⁠Final Destination: Bloodlines: ₦26.1 million (Weekend 2)

6 ⁠⁠Lilo & Stitch: ₦8.5 million (Weekend 1)