The new Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Movie Is Still Full of Love and Family

Caption: A poster made by Disney for the cinematic release of the live action movie. [Picture provided by the Rotten Tomatoes Online Review Site]

by Isabella Bruniera

The new film “Lilo & Stitch,” is a live-action remake released on May 22, 2025 and was highly advertised before it made its way to the big screen. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, this movie sought to bring the animated magic of the original movie from 2002 back to the screens with the help of live actors and CGI animation. The screenplay was written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, and the music was composed by Dan Romer, and Chris Sanders returns as the voice of Stitch. 

Although the original movie only made modest gains in the box office when it first arrived in movie theaters, the live action movie was an instant success, bringing in more money in the opening weekend, than the original did overall.  Its record breaking earnings put it in first place in movie ticket sales with a total of $341 million worldwide.

Similar to the plot from the original movie, this new live-action version of the story follows Lilo Pelekai, a spirited young Hawaiian girl who lives with her older sister Nani after their parents’ death. Feeling lonely, Lilo adopts what she thinks is a dog from a local shelter.  This ‘dog’ turns out to be Stitch, an alien experiment designed for chaos. 

As Stitch forms a bond with Lilo, they navigate unexpected challenges as he tries to belong while she struggles to hold her little “ohana” together. Meanwhile, there are external pressures from the Galactic Federation, and Lilo’s life is watched by a social worker concerned about her well-being. The film explores themes of family, belonging, and how love can come in the most surprising forms without giving away how everything turns out at the end.

In my opinion, the actors in the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” do a really good job. Maia Kealoha plays Lilo in a very natural way, showing her sadness, her funny side, and how much she cares about her family. 

Sydney Agudong, who plays Nani, makes the big-sister role feel real, showing how stressed and loving she is at the same time. 

Chris Sanders, the same voice actor from the original movie, voices Stitch, and he sounds just like the chaotic and loveable alien everyone knows. 

The CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) looks clean and realistic, and Hawaii looks beautiful and real in every scene. The music also fits the mood well, mixing new songs with the style of the original movie. All these things together make the movie fun and full of heart.

Watching this live-action version of “Lilo & Stitch” felt nostalgic, especially when familiar scenes or lines echoed the original, but I was also surprised by how emotional it was. When I watched the movie, I actually got emotional, especially during the softer moments between Lilo and Stitch.  For example, the moment where Stitch was drowning in the ocean was a powerful and emotional scene. 

On a lighter side, the humor was playful but also believable. There were moments that made me laugh out loud, as well as moments that made me tear up a little. Overall, watching it made me remember how much I enjoyed the original “Lilo and Stitch” movie for the first time as a child. 

I strongly recommend watching “Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action).” Whether you grew up with the original or are new to the story, there’s a lot to love here with the great performances, emotional moments, and a beautiful message about family (ohana). The movie keeps the spirit of the original but also brings its own style, and it’s really worth watching anywhere you can.

Although the movie is no longer in movie theaters, you can watch it on through streaming services such as Disney Plus.