June 2002 saw the release of Lilo & Stitch. Audiences around the world embraced the quirky comedy of the little Hawaiian girl Lilo and her pet alien, Stitch. As with so many other Disney animated productions, the film quickly formed the basis for a long-term franchise, with a successful release on VHS/DVD, a top-selling soundtrack, novel consumer products and character appearances in the parks. More new products are in the works, including an original video adventure featuring Stitch, and an animated television series.

In late November 2002, Disney’s Treasure Planet opened simultaneously in theaters around the world. A sci-fi twist on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale Treasure Island, the film blends traditional hand-drawn animation with computer-generated animation to achieve a unique, cutting-edge look.

For summer 2003, there’s a Disney/Pixar release from the creators of Toy Story and Monsters, Inc. – Finding Nemo, an underwater adventure set in the Great Barrier Reef.

In the fall comes Bears, an epic adventure of brotherly love set against the rugged, beautiful landscape of the Pacific Northwest. The film follows the story of a headstrong boy who is magically transformed into a bear and must make a heroic journey to regain his human form. Along the way, he meets an irrepressible bear cub who becomes his guide and companion. The film’s soundtrack includes five original songs written by Phil Collins.