“Lilo & Stitch” Could Be Disney’s Most Authentic Live-Action Remake Yet

Disney’s live-action remake pipeline shows no signs of slowing down. While some titles have sparked backlash or underperformed at the box office—most recently “Snow White”—the strategy still leans on a tried formula: tapping into millennial and Gen Z nostalgia while reintroducing legacy stories to younger audiences.

“Lilo & Stitch” manages to avoid many of the common pitfalls. The new adaptation sticks closely to the spirit of the 2002 original, a fan favorite that blended sci-fi oddity with a deeply emotional story about chosen family and personal loss. In its live-action form, the film retains that emotional resonance, while adding just enough contemporary tweaks to keep it relevant for today’s audience.

As in the original, the film follows six-year-old Hawaian native Lilo (Maia Kealoha), who is being raised by her older sister Nani (Sydney Elizabeth Agudong) after the tragic loss of their parents. Nani, now her legal guardian, tries to juggle young adulthood, financial hardship, and the pressures of child protective services (CPS), all while giving Lilo a stable home life. Lilo, struggling to connect with children her age, finds herself further isolated by the bullying from her hula-mates.

One night, she wishes on a shooting star for a friend—and the next day, her wish is answered in the form of Stitch (Chris Sanders, returning to voice the character despite his prior contract with Disney having ended). Stitch is a rogue alien posing as a dog in order to evade capture by his creator, Dr. Jumba (Zach Galifianakis), and a disorderly agent of the United Galactic Federation, Pleakley (Billy Magnussen).

Though Stitch initially brings chaos, he gradually forms a powerful bond with Lilo—an ohana so strong that even the stern Grand Councilwoman (Hannah Waddingham), who originally sought to exile him, is moved. The film concludes on a warm, emotional note, with Stitch remaining on Earth to be part of Lilo and Nani’s unconventional family.

The film’s script adheres closely to the original, and that faithfulness is commendable. Iconic moments like Lilo and Mertle’s hula clash (slightly tweaked to discourage fighting among kids), Nani and Lilo’s classic “Go to your room!” / “I’m already in my room!” exchange and the humorous chaos between Nani and Stitch are all intact. Even the film’s opening—featuring Stitch’s intergalactic escape—is so precisely rendered that it speaks volumes about director Dean Fleischer Camp. The Academy Award nominee’s skill in animation and storytelling makes him a perfect match for this adaptation. The final scene, along with the post-credits, is poignant and emotionally resonant—there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. That kind of emotional depth has been missing from Disney’s recent live-action tablings.

Some longtime fans took issue with the film’s altered ending, in which Nani leaves Lilo (and Stitch) in the care of David (Kaipo Dudoit) and his grandmother Tūtū (Amy Hill) to pursue her college ambitions. In the original, Nani and David fostered Lilo together. Critics claim the new ending encourages abandoning responsibility. But it seems Disney can never win with these remakes: stick too closely to the source material, and they’re labeled unoriginal; change too much, and they’re accused of being “woke”. These critiques miss the film’s deeper message: Nani should be allowed to pursue her goals without shame or guilt. She’s still a young adult figuring her life out.

Every member of the cast contributes to making “Lilo & Stitch” a film worth watching. Maia Kealoha is a revelation as Lilo. As Hollywood’s latest child star, she has the presence, timing, and charisma to go far. She steals every scene she’s in, perfectly capturing Lilo’s quirky, stubborn, lovable spirit. Her chemistry with Sanders’ Stitch is both playful and believable—an impressive feat given that Stitch is entirely CGI/puppetry-generated. Kealoha essentially had to act opposite a character who wasn’t there, and she handled it with grace and imagination. Disney could not have cast a better Lilo.

Sydney Elizabeth Agudong also shines as Nani. She embodies the harsh reality of being a young woman forced into early adulthood, juggling the roles of mother, older sister, and caretaker. Her on-screen dynamic with Kealoha is deeply authentic—filled with chaos, tenderness, and unconditional love.

Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen as Dr. Jumba and Pleakley add humor to the narrative with their antics. “Lilo & Stitch” is labeled as a sci-fi comedy, and without them, the comedy aspect would’ve fallen flat. Of course, no one can expect less from acting legend Galifianakis, whose wealth of experience in the comedy genre made the film as entertaining as it was.

Hawaiian culture is respectfully and vividly portrayed—from stunning landscapes and lush beaches to cultural rituals and community life. The film’s soundtrack pays homage to the original, featuring the iconic native chant “He Lei Papahi No Lilo a me Stitch” and the unforgettable “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride.” Even with new songs added, the music evokes the same nostalgic magic.

Visually, the CGI is impressive, especially with the reimagining of Stitch. He transitioned from a hand-drawn character to a fully realized, 3D-rendered alien dog, complete with all the quirky mannerisms that made him so lovable. The same goes for Jumba, Pleakley (in their alien forms), and the Grand Councilwoman.

“Lilo & Stitch” may have made Stitch and his rambunctious personality the film’s central draw, but at times it felt a bit overwhelming. A lot was happening in certain scenes, and the pacing made it difficult to process one event before another began. Some scenes felt overstuffed. Additionally, the dialogue occasionally came off as choppy. It was sometimes hard to understand Kealoha (through no fault of her own), and Stitch’s speech was often slurred.

Still, the film’s heart remains intact. The central message—“Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten”—is woven throughout, unchanged by time or format. That’s one of the many reasons the original became a beloved classic, and why this remake earns its place alongside it.

Did Disney nail this live-action? Absolutely. Could it have been better? It was honestly the best it could be—and that’s more than enough. Kids love it, and it’s currently the third highest-grossing film of 2025, earning $610.8 million at the global box office. It also received an “A” on CinemaScore, a strong indicator that Disney, Camp, and producers Jonathan Eirich and Dan Lin did a lot of things right.

“Lilo & Stitch” is still showing in theaters worldwide.

Release Date: May 23, 2025

Runtime: 1 hour and 48 minutes

Streaming Service: None. Cinematic Release

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Cast: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, Kaipo Dudoit, Tia Carrere, and Amy Hill