Just when you thought you couldn’t be more hyped for Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch, here comes Topps to crank your excitement up a notch. The renowned trading card company knows exactly how to catch the heartstrings of the nostalgic, the lovers of chaos, and those ardent fans buzzing over Disney’s latest cinematic endeavor. With a quirkiness only rivaled by Stitch himself, Topps is launching a 72-hour trading card drop that summons memories of the early 2000s while simultaneously stirring a thrill in modern collectors.
Scheduled to align serendipitously with the Memorial Day weekend release of the movie, the trading card window opens on May 22 at 2 PM ET and slams shut on May 25. That’s right, Topps Now is living up to its name, injecting an ultra-limited time offer that’s as fleeting as an evening star but packed with the potential to become a collector’s celestial prize.
The crown jewel of this drop is a base card featuring the film’s official poster. A familiar sight to those who can’t wait to see their favorite blue alien leap from animation to live-action. However, it’s the chase variants that carry the thrill of the hunt. These cards, with Stitch cheekily inserted into legendary Disney movie scenes—Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Snow White, and Cinderella—pay homage to Stitch’s original animated campaign antics. Much like the sneaky little guy who couldn’t keep away from the limelight, these cards beckon collectors with an irresistible nod to the past.
These chase cards are organized into a serially numbered array: /99, /50, /25, /10, /5, and the ultimate unicorn, a singular 1-of-1. Prices are structured to entice both the casual fan and the deep-pocketed aficionado. A single card is pegged at $16, while wheeling and dealing your way into a bundle of 20 will slim it to a mere $10 each. Remember, once that 72 hours is up, they’re gone, vaulting into the ephemera of collector lore.
Topps, however, is no stranger to Disney darling drops, having orchestrated similar escapades for an ensemble cast from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars over recent years. From Mickey’s eternal charm to Spidey’s superhero swagger, they’ve concocted timed deals that appeal as much to the heart as to the habit of collectors. Yet, Stitch is not your typical character. He is a pop culture disruptor who thrives on chaos and thrives on stories that aren’t his.
For those familiar with Stitch’s saga, the idea of this crossover card event isn’t an entirely new trick. The 2002 animated flick cheekily pitched Stitch crash-landing in other Disney tales—a genius campaign that amplified his chaotic, yet magnetic charm. His appearance was absurd and yet wonderfully self-aware. It’s this tempestuous charm that has catapulted Stitch from an experimental spaceling to a cherished Disney mascot.
Stitch’s orbit extends far beyond his titular films. His escapades have intersected with the likes of Kim Possible and other Disney Channel favorites, embedding him firmly in the hearts of millennials. His cheeky antics have splashed onto the rides and experiences at Disney theme parks around the globe, showing that this little experiment’s appeal knows no planetary bounds.
As for the live-action movie, early screenings suggest Disney may have a crowd-pleaser on its hands. With a cast that boasts the talents of Zach Galifianakis, Courtney B. Vance, Hannah Waddingham, and Tia Carrere, the excitement is palpable. In a summer where competition such as “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” stands mighty, Lilo & Stitch might just tunnel its way through to victory with endearing chaos leading the charge.
For those tempted to strike a pose with these cards, the time to act is now. The 72-hour dash ends on May 25, leaving procrastinators only with regrets. Whether it’s for filling a scrapbook, basking in nostalgia, or joining the thrill of the chase, it’s all aboard the Stitch express as he storms back into pop culture’s center stage, dragging legendary Disney icons along for the most delightful of rides.
