Honestly, walking into the theater for the Lilo and Stitch new movie felt like a gamble. We’ve all seen the cycle. Disney takes a hand-drawn masterpiece, adds "realism," and somehow loses the soul in the process. Remember the uncanny valley lions? Yeah, me too. But 2025’s live-action Lilo & Stitch managed to dodge the "soulless remake" curse by leaning into the weirdness instead of hiding it.
It hit theaters on May 23, 2025, and did something most people didn't expect: it crossed the $1 billion mark.
Why? Because it didn't just copy-paste the 2002 script. It changed things. Some people hated those changes, but they gave the movie a reason to exist beyond just being a 3D version of a 2D memory.
What Most People Get Wrong About the New Stitch
There was a huge fear that a "realistic" Experiment 626 would look like a nightmare creature. Instead, director Dean Fleischer Camp (the guy behind Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) went for a look that felt tangible. Stitch is messy. He looks like a wet, slightly chaotic koala-gremlin hybrid.
The biggest shift wasn't the look, though. It was his personality.
In the original, Stitch is a tactical genius using Lilo as a shield. In this version, he’s portrayed more as a confused, innocent child. It’s a subtle pivot. It makes the bond between him and Lilo feel less like a hostage situation and more like two lonely kids finding each other. Some purists argue this softens the edge too much, but it actually makes the emotional beats land differently.
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The Casting and That "Mrs. Kekoa" Twist
Let’s talk about the cast because the internet had thoughts. Maia Kealoha is basically Lilo come to life. She has that specific "weird kid" energy that you can’t fake.
Then there’s Nani. Sydney Elizebeth Agudong had some big shoes to fill, especially after the casting controversy regarding colorism that dominated the trades for months. In the actual film, her performance is the anchor. They gave Nani a much deeper backstory this time around. We find out she had a full scholarship for marine biology that she had to ditch to raise Lilo. It makes her stress feel way more grounded and heavy.
Wait, Where’s Cobra Bubbles?
He’s there, but not how you remember. Courtney B. Vance plays a version of Bubbles that is a CIA agent, not just a social worker. To fill the "government oversight" gap, the movie introduces a new character: Mrs. Kekoa.
Interestingly, she's played by Tia Carrere—the original voice of Nani! It’s a great nod to the fans, and she plays the role with a lot of empathy. Instead of just being an intimidating guy in a suit, Mrs. Kekoa represents the systemic pressure Nani faces. It makes the threat of Lilo being taken away feel a lot more "real world" and a lot less "cartoon villain."
The Massive Plot Change Nobody Expected
If you’re looking for Captain Gantu, you’re going to be disappointed. He’s gone.
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The movie decided to make Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) the primary antagonist. In the 2002 version, Jumba is a lovable oaf pretty quickly. Here, he stays a "mad scientist" for much longer. He’s actually dangerous. Galifianakis plays him with a menacing edge that we haven't really seen from him before.
This change forced the ending to move away from the "alien chase in a red spaceship" to something more intimate. The climax now happens on the ground in Hawaii, focusing on the destruction of their home. It’s smaller, sure, but it feels more personal.
Why the Ending Sparked a Controversy
The ending isn't a perfect "happily ever after" in the traditional sense.
- The House is Gone: Just like the original, the house gets leveled.
- Nani’s Choice: Instead of everyone just living together in a repaired house, Nani actually gets a second chance at her education.
- Tūtū’s Role: A new character, Tūtū (David’s grandmother, played by Amy Hill), steps in to provide a stable home while things get sorted.
Some fans felt this "split the family," but others argued it was more realistic. It shows that Ohana doesn't mean you have to sacrifice every single dream to stay together; it means the community supports you so you can pursue them.
Is there a Lilo and Stitch 2?
Yes. Disney didn't wait long. Given that the movie was the first live-action/animated hybrid to hit $1 billion, they announced a sequel on June 26, 2025 (6/26 Day).
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The sequel is reportedly going to dive into the other 625 experiments. Chris Sanders, the original creator and voice of Stitch, is already back to write the script. If the first movie was about finding a family, the second seems poised to be about protecting the rest of them.
How to Approach the New Movie
If you haven't seen it yet, don't go in expecting a frame-for-frame remake of the 2002 classic. You'll be annoyed by the missing songs (yes, some were cut) and the lack of certain characters.
Instead, look at it as a companion piece. It deals with the grief of losing parents and the struggle of poverty in Hawaii with a much more "adult" lens, while still letting a blue alien eat a bicycle.
Your Next Steps:
- Watch the Original First: Refresh your memory on the 2002 version so you can spot the cameos from the original voice cast (look out for Jason Scott Lee!).
- Look for the "Easter Eggs": The movie is packed with references to the TV show and even other Disney movies like Moana.
- Check Disney+ for the Special Look: There’s a "Making Of" documentary that explains how they handled the CGI for the experiments, which is actually pretty fascinating if you're into tech.
The Lilo and Stitch new movie proved that you can change the formula and still keep the heart. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely Ohana.