The Lilo & Sтιтch movie has not even been released, but Sтιтch is already causing havoc in movie theaters. Set to release on May 21, the movie is a live-action adaptation of the original 2002 animated classic. Maia Kealoha’s Lilo will lead the new Lilo & Sтιтch cast, alongside Sydney Agudong’s Nani, Zach Galifianakis’ Dr. Jumba, and Chris Sanders reprising his role as Sтιтch’s voice. With a $150 million budget, it is expected to be director Dean Fleischer Camp’s first full-scale blockbuster movie.

As Disney continues to prepare for the release, it has been taking advantage of Sтιтch’s chaotic personality. Ahead of the movie’s official debut, Discussing Film released a clip that features Sтιтch, a popcorn bucket, and amused customers at a movie theater. Check out the footage below:

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The video follows a group of viewers at the concession stand in a theater, standing beside a gigantic popcorn bucket. After a few moments, they are all shocked when Sтιтch leaps out of the popcorn to smile at them. Some are terrified, while some do nothing but laugh at the experience. The video features several clips, each time including all-new patrons being stunned by Sтιтch’s explosive arrival.

What The Popcorn Stunt Means For Lilo & Sтιтch

Disney’s Marketing Team Understands This Movie

While recent Disney live-action remakes have struggled, as Snow White barely broke $200 million at the box office on a budget of approximately $250 million, Lilo & Sтιтch appears to be another story entirely. There are already reports that Hollywood is anticipating a $120 million four-day opening weekend for the movie, largely driven by families attending during Memorial Day weekend. That would be an extraordinary start, bucking a trend that saw Snow White earn just $48 million in its first weekend.

This viral marketing campaign will only garner more interest, as audiences are introduced to the antics that Sтιтch will adore in this movie. It is not a wholly original idea, as the 2002 movie depended on a unique campaign to draw interest. The first movie was advertised with teasers featuring scenes from Disney’s animated classics, which were always interrupted by Sтιтch. The popcorn bucket advertisement is simply an attempt to modernize that strategy, while also mixing his antics with the real world.

Our Take On Lilo & Sтιтch’s Popcorn Campaign

It Is Nothing More Than A Fun Prank

It is no surprise that the internet is enjoying this prank, given that it is the perfect way to depict Sтιтch. A live-action adaptation always needs to feel more realistic than its animated counterpart, so having Sтιтch prank audiences is the perfect way to make this world feel more connected to our own. While the average attendee will likely never see Sтιтch in a popcorn bucket, those who were terrified will have a memory for a lifetime. Besides, it should help to raise awareness of the Lilo & Sтιтch movie along the way.

Source: Discussing Film/X