Lilo & Stitch (2025) Review: This Disney Remake Gets It Right Finally!

Lilo & Stitch is considered one of the classic animated franchises that Disney has blessed the industry with over the years. Fans had high hopes for the project, and fortunately, the film didn’t disappoint. Lilo Pelekai, portrayed by Maia Kealoha, is a 6-year-old girl who is bullied by other girls her age. So, one night, she makes a wish for a shooting star, which is Stitch’s spaceship in reality. Lilo crosses paths with Stitch at the animal rescue center she often visits and falls in love with him as she mistakes him for a dog. The girl brings Stitch home; initially, her elder sister Nani is against petting him, but she agrees eventually.

After the disastrous Snow White live-action, if you wonder whether you should step out to the theatres to watch Lilo & Stitch, here’s an honest review that may help you decide.

Lilo & Stitch Doesn’t Compromise The Heartfelt Moments Because Of Humor

To be honest, I didn’t expect much from the film when I watched the trailer for the first time. It seemed like a movie that was specifically made for kids; well, I was wrong. With minimal expectations, as I headed to the theatre this morning, the one thing that came to my mind was, what if it proves to be a waste of time and money? But when the film started, it intrigued me from the very first minute. 

The innocent face of Maia Kealoha (Lilo Palekai) and her bond with her elder sister, Sydney Agudong’s Nani, made my heart skip a beat. After that, Stitch entered the game and made the audience laugh their lungs out. Since the film was released on a weekday, the theatre wasn’t full of people, but those who could make it couldn’t resist laughing out loud watching the mischievous acts of our lead pair.

I became a fan of the screenplay because it’s not easy to balance everything in a story. Be it humor, emotion, or heart, the film seemed to have a perfect recipe containing all the good things. At one moment, you would be laughing when Stitch lays waste to an entire restaurant, but at another moment, you would actually feel bad for Nani for losing the job. Stitch surely has an overwhelming presence, but he doesn’t take the spotlight away from the sisters. When the sisters are together, you only feel their presence on the screen because of the strong bond they share in the story. 

Movie Captures the Essence of the Original Story Without Being a Direct Copy-Paste Story

As a fan of the original animated film, you would likely notice some changes in the live-action version, but in a respectful fashion. While the film mostly stays faithful to the source material, it also adds a freshness, making it fit modern standards.

Captain Gantu, who was the antagonist in the source material, doesn’t make it to the live-action; instead, it gives the secondary antagonists, Dr. Jumba Jookiba and Agent Pleakley, the front seat. Besides that, rather than relying too much on the action part like the source material, it delved deep to explore the dynamic between Lilo and Nani, Lilo and Stitch, and the ohana themes. That was indeed an excellent alteration to the original story. Honestly, we already have Sonic if we wish to see an alien fighting other aliens or the government. With Lilo & Stitch, I expected to experience a tale of love and acceptance, and that’s what I got. 

The film was shot on Kauai, a beautiful island in Hawaii, making it a perfect film exploring the Hawaiian landscapes and seas. Disney made everything relevant to the source material by incorporating Hawaiian culture through the character outfits, dance, and music. The grounded approach to the story made me truly embrace the Hawaiian culture, and I liked that the film didn’t try to distract the audience from the culture by bombarding the audience with unnecessary action.

Lilo & Stitch Makes the Right Choice with Alien Designs

The cast was top-notch, especially Maia Kealoha, who carried the film excellently by putting her whole heart into the character. Chris Sanders has lent his voice to Stitch since the beginning of the franchise, and the magic still hasn’t faded away. Sydney Agudong as Nani was terrific; no one else would have been a better sister to Kealoha’s Lilo. Both the girls left no stone unturned to make us emotional with their separation sequence. They literally brought the animated characters to life.

Now, how could I not mention Zach Galifianakis, who has garnered a massive following with his humor? Even if you don’t recognize him by his name, you might know him from his breakout project, The Hangover Trilogy. The live-action of Lilo & Stitch sees him as the main antagonist, Dr. Jumba, the creator of Experiment 626 (Stitch). He, along with his partner in crime, Agent Pleakley (Billy Magnussen), made us laugh till our stomachs ached with their nonsensical comedy.

The other supporting characters, including David (Kaipo Dudoit) and Tutu (Amy Hill), also got their share of screen time, making us wonder why every film doesn’t use its supporting cast the way Lilo & Stitch did.

Lilo & Stitch Doesn’t Come Without Its Flaws

Even good things come with some flaws, and Lilo & Stitch live-action is no different. Despite being a nearly perfect Disney film, it has a few things that felt odd to me. For instance, in the end, when Stitch’s true identity is revealed, no one looks surprised, as if it is normal for them to have an alien around. The other thing was the underutilization of CIA Agent Cobra Bubbles, who initially appeared as a social worker.

While the character arc majorly stays similar to the 2002 movie, the film does make him look like a spectator who has no other work but keeping a watch on Stitch. I mean, in the original story, he is a significant character, but the film seemed uninterested in him. 

Also, his decision to keep Stitch’s existence hidden from the CIA felt rushed. I mean, all it took was an emotional moment between the alien and the girls for Cobra to change his heart? That doesn’t sit right with me. Honestly, the story would have remained exactly the same if Cobra’s role had been excluded from the movie. CIA never even got close to hurting the alien or the girls; the bigger threat was the other alien duo, so what exactly was Cobra doing in the story? Nothing except watching all the events unfold like a spectator. I hope, like the other modifications, Disney paid a little attention to Bubbles’ character development.

Should You Watch Lilo & Stitch (2025)?

You might wonder if you should watch the film; well, yes, you should. The ones who are fans of the animated film must give it a shot to see how Disney has saved its reputation by giving us this film after disappointing us with the Snow White live-action. Also, for someone who is a newcomer, Lilo & Stitch is certainly waving at you. Well, I won’t say it is a film that you can watch multiple times, but it is a one-time watch that will surely give you some laughing-out-loud opportunities with your loved ones.