A lonely Hawaiian girl befriends a runaway alien, helping to mend her fragmented family.A lonely Hawaiian girl befriends a runaway alien, helping to mend her fragmented family.A lonely Hawaiian girl befriends a runaway alien, helping to mend her fragmented family.
Sydney Agudong
- Nani
- (as Sydney Elizebeth Agudong)
Chris Sanders
- Stitch
- (voice)
Blake La Benz
- Kumu Hula
- (as Brutus LaBenz)
Summary
Reviewers say the live-action remake of 'Lilo & Stitch' captures the essence of the original with strong performances, especially from Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Chris Sanders as Stitch. The film is praised for its emotional depth, humor, and the portrayal of family bonds. However, criticisms include changes to key characters and plot elements, such as the removal of Gantu and the altered role of Jumba, which some reviewers feel dilute the original's charm and message. The pacing and editing are also noted as areas where the film falls short, with some scenes feeling rushed or unnecessary. Despite these issues, many reviewers find the film enjoyable and a decent addition to the Disney live-action remakes, though it may not fully capture the magic of the original animated classic.
Featured reviews
I really wanted to enjoy this, especially given the nostalgia tied to the original, but it just didn't land for me. The pacing felt rushed-like the filmmakers were in a hurry to get through the plot rather than let it breathe. They introduced new characters that didn't add much and honestly felt unnecessary.
What bothered me most was how far the story veered from the original. It didn't feel like a natural evolution or a modern reimagining-it felt like they were actively trying to make it not the classic we grew up loving. On top of that, the casting didn't help. The characters didn't match the personalities or essence they were supposed to represent, which made it hard to stay immersed.
Overall, it missed the mark for me. Sometimes sticking closer to the source material really is the better call.
What bothered me most was how far the story veered from the original. It didn't feel like a natural evolution or a modern reimagining-it felt like they were actively trying to make it not the classic we grew up loving. On top of that, the casting didn't help. The characters didn't match the personalities or essence they were supposed to represent, which made it hard to stay immersed.
Overall, it missed the mark for me. Sometimes sticking closer to the source material really is the better call.
Let's start with this: the original 'Lilo & Stitch' is one of my favourite cartoons ever. It's pure magic - quirky, heartfelt, and beautifully weird in that way only early 2000s Disney could get away with. So when I heard there was a live-action remake in the works, I had cautious hope. But after sitting through this 2025 adaptation... I wish I'd never seen it.
This remake is not nearly as good as the original. In fact, it barely feels like it's trying to be. Iconic moments have been cut or warped beyond recognition - smoothed over into something bland and safe. And don't get me started on Stitch himself - still voiced by Chris Sanders, yes, but it feels hollow without the wild energy that made him so lovable.
Some of the changes just make no sense. Characters are tweaked in ways that add nothing, and the emotional heart of the story - Lilo's grief, her loneliness, her oddball charm - has been neutered. The film is both rushed AND drags on, somehow managing to feel overstuffed and undercooked all at once. A true feat, if it wasn't so frustrating to watch.
Ultimately, it feels like a soulless cash grab. Another in a long line of Disney remakes that mistake visual fidelity for emotional resonance. It's got all the polish of a high-budget project, but none of the spirit. I didn't smile, I didn't cry - I just kept checking my watch.
Honestly? I'm at the point where I won't even bother watching the live-action remake of Moana, or whatever else they're churning out next. I'm so over the fakeness. These aren't love letters to our childhoods - they're boardroom products dressed up in nostalgia.
NO MORE. Let our animated classics stay classics. They don't need "updating." They just need to be left alone.
This remake is not nearly as good as the original. In fact, it barely feels like it's trying to be. Iconic moments have been cut or warped beyond recognition - smoothed over into something bland and safe. And don't get me started on Stitch himself - still voiced by Chris Sanders, yes, but it feels hollow without the wild energy that made him so lovable.
Some of the changes just make no sense. Characters are tweaked in ways that add nothing, and the emotional heart of the story - Lilo's grief, her loneliness, her oddball charm - has been neutered. The film is both rushed AND drags on, somehow managing to feel overstuffed and undercooked all at once. A true feat, if it wasn't so frustrating to watch.
Ultimately, it feels like a soulless cash grab. Another in a long line of Disney remakes that mistake visual fidelity for emotional resonance. It's got all the polish of a high-budget project, but none of the spirit. I didn't smile, I didn't cry - I just kept checking my watch.
Honestly? I'm at the point where I won't even bother watching the live-action remake of Moana, or whatever else they're churning out next. I'm so over the fakeness. These aren't love letters to our childhoods - they're boardroom products dressed up in nostalgia.
NO MORE. Let our animated classics stay classics. They don't need "updating." They just need to be left alone.
What to say about this remake? The kids will love it. Stitch is spot-on animated, the cast is great, especially for Lilo and her sister Nani. And that's about it about the good stuff.
For hardcore fans of the original as myself this remake will be a disappointment.
The story at the beginning is rushed, iconic characters are missing, there are some new characters that add absolutely nothing to the story, iconic story elements are missing, the main villain is changed, the reference to Elvis Presley is barely in it, the reference to "ohana" is completely changed thus changing the messaging of the movie (because you know, we live in "modern" times now), the third act is a mess and I literally hated the ending.
But it is still watchable and the kids will enjoy it.
For hardcore fans of the original as myself this remake will be a disappointment.
The story at the beginning is rushed, iconic characters are missing, there are some new characters that add absolutely nothing to the story, iconic story elements are missing, the main villain is changed, the reference to Elvis Presley is barely in it, the reference to "ohana" is completely changed thus changing the messaging of the movie (because you know, we live in "modern" times now), the third act is a mess and I literally hated the ending.
But it is still watchable and the kids will enjoy it.
So okay, we watched this basically because there was nothing better on (the alternative was Mission: Impossible, lol). I expected nothing - and that's exactly what I got. This is just Lilo & Stitch with actual actors (some of them really bad too).
It feels like a film made completely devoid of emotion, trying way too hard to simulate it with some cute animations, desperately poking at that little nostalgia button in your heart (aka Disney: Operation Nostalgia).
Honestly, I hope this remake trend dies soon. I genuinely don't get the point of these kinds of productions - or maybe I'm just not the target audience.
It feels like a film made completely devoid of emotion, trying way too hard to simulate it with some cute animations, desperately poking at that little nostalgia button in your heart (aka Disney: Operation Nostalgia).
Honestly, I hope this remake trend dies soon. I genuinely don't get the point of these kinds of productions - or maybe I'm just not the target audience.
So gonna make this with no spoilers
I really wanted to like this, but the remake just misses what made the original Lilo & Stitch so special.
One of the biggest issues? They completely lost the heart of the story. The original was about found family, feeling like an outsider, and growing into love and understanding. This version just kind of glosses over all that. They cut out some important characters who brought depth, and the new ones they added didn't move the plot forward at all-they felt like filler.
And then there's Lilo. In the original, her behavior came from trauma, misunderstanding, or just being a kid who felt deeply and didn't know how to express it. Here, it feels like they made her act out just to be bad. It wasn't quirky or endearing-it was out of character and kind of mean-spirited.
What really stings is the lack of emotional growth. The original gave us real redemption arcs and character development. Here, it's like everyone stays the same the whole movie. No payoff, no evolution.
Visually it's fine, and I'm sure some people might enjoy it on a surface level. But for fans who connected with the original's heart? This just feels hollow.
I really wanted to like this, but the remake just misses what made the original Lilo & Stitch so special.
One of the biggest issues? They completely lost the heart of the story. The original was about found family, feeling like an outsider, and growing into love and understanding. This version just kind of glosses over all that. They cut out some important characters who brought depth, and the new ones they added didn't move the plot forward at all-they felt like filler.
And then there's Lilo. In the original, her behavior came from trauma, misunderstanding, or just being a kid who felt deeply and didn't know how to express it. Here, it feels like they made her act out just to be bad. It wasn't quirky or endearing-it was out of character and kind of mean-spirited.
What really stings is the lack of emotional growth. The original gave us real redemption arcs and character development. Here, it's like everyone stays the same the whole movie. No payoff, no evolution.
Visually it's fine, and I'm sure some people might enjoy it on a surface level. But for fans who connected with the original's heart? This just feels hollow.
Theatrical Releases You Can Stream or Rent
Theatrical Releases You Can Stream or Rent
These big screen releases can now be watched from the comfort of your couch.
Did you know
- TriviaTia Carrere, the original voice of Nani Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch (2002), is cast in this film as Mrs. Kekoa, a new character.
- GoofsLilo pulls out the vinyl of Blue Hawaii but the song that then plays is Heartbreak Hotel. This song is not on the Blue Hawaii soundtrack.
- ConnectionsFeatured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Last-Minute Setup: The Musical (2020)
- Soundtracks(You're The) Devil In Disguise
Written by Bernie Baum, Bill Giant and Florence Kaye
Performed by Elvis Presley
Courtesy of RCA Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Lilo và Stitch
- Filming locations
- Hawaii, USA(According to The Disinsider, production on the project is expected to begin next Fall in Hawaii.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $100,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $423,379,409
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $146,016,175
- May 25, 2025
- Gross worldwide
- $1,035,077,004
- Runtime
- 1h 48m(108 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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