Disney’s relentless campaign to reimagine its animated treasures in live action continues, and this time, Lilo & Stitch is the latest to undergo the transformation. But unlike other remakes that have occasionally surprised—The Jungle Book, for instance—this one lands with a thud. It’s not just another remake—it’s a cautionary tale about the perils of tampering with the offbeat magic that made the original unforgettable.
Released in 2002, Lilo & Stitch stood out for its watercolor visuals, oddball humor, and emotional core. Now, more than two decades later, the live-action version tries to recreate that charm but ends up lost in a maze of CGI and narrative clutter. The heart of the story lingers, but its soul has been scrubbed away, leaving a glossy, lifeless imitation.
Same Story, Less Spark
The plot remains mostly faithful. Stitch (once again voiced by Chris Sanders) is a genetically-engineered alien fugitive who crashes on Earth and finds a home with Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha), a quirky young girl with a deep sense of loneliness. She’s raised by her overworked sister Nani (Sydney Agudong), while social services loom in the background. Alien agents Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) and Pleakley (Billy Magnussen) soon follow, aiming to recapture Stitch. Themes of family and belonging remain intact—but they struggle to breathe beneath the weight of excessive CGI and frenzied pacing.
What Works (Barely)
There are a few bright spots. Stitch’s design in 3D manages to retain some of his mischievous allure, and for younger audiences unfamiliar with the original, he’ll likely be a source of endless fascination. Sydney Agudong adds depth to Nani’s stress and sacrifice, grounding the character in reality, while Kealoha’s Lilo captures flashes of emotion and innocence that feel authentic.
The film also manages to borrow a few emotional beats from its predecessor. “Ohana means family” still delivers its intended punch, and a handful of slapstick moments between Jumba and Pleakley offer brief respite from the heavy-handed storytelling. Cameos from original cast members like Tia Carrere and Jason Scott Lee serve as small gifts to longtime fans, though they do little to salvage the film overall.
What Falls Apart
But charm and nostalgia aren’t enough when the foundation feels hollow. The original’s gentle, sun-soaked atmosphere has been swapped for a loud, breakneck spectacle that leaves no room for nuance. Where the 2002 version let its emotional beats breathe, this one rushes through them, sacrificing feeling for frantic momentum.
The transition to live action also does the story no favors. The early space sequences are jarringly animated, with budgetary limitations peeking through the seams. Director Dean Fleischer Camp, previously praised for the understated Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, seems overwhelmed by the scale here. The emotional highs feel manufactured, and the additional scenes introduced for padding only dilute the core message.
Final Thoughts
This remake is a textbook example of how not to revisit a classic. Lilo & Stitch was never about sleek visuals or epic scale—it was about messy, authentic love and the chaos of unconventional families. By stripping away the eccentricity and hand-painted warmth of the original, Disney has created something sanitized and soulless.
Rather than honoring what made Lilo & Stitch special, this remake tries to streamline and commercialize it. The result? A film that may make noise at the box office but says very little artistically. For many fans, this will serve not as a new favorite, but as a stark reminder of how some stories are best left in their original, imperfect brilliance.
