‘Lilo & Stitch’ Movie Review: Disney’s Live-Action Remake Delivers Heart, Humor, and Hawaiian Spirit

When I first heard Disney was planning a live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, I’ll admit I was apprehensive. Let’s face it, Disney doesn’t have the best track record with live-action films. And, the 2002 animated film holds a special place in many hearts (mine included), with its unique watercolor animation style and perfect balance of chaos and heart.

But after watching Dean Fleischer Camp’s 2025 adaptation, I’m happy to report that this new version of Lilo & Stitch manages to capture much of the original’s charm while adding its own thoughtful touches. It’s not perfect – few remakes are – but it delivers where it counts most: in the emotional connection between its central characters.

For those unfamiliar with the story (though seriously, how have you missed it?), Lilo & Stitch follows the journey of a lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo (newcomer Maia Kealoha) who adopts what she believes is an unusual dog from the local animal shelter. That “dog” is actually Experiment 626, aka Stitch (voiced by original creator Chris Sanders), a genetically engineered alien designed for destruction who crash-lands in Hawaii after escaping from the United Galactic Federation. As Lilo and Stitch form an unlikely bond, they’re pursued by alien scientist Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) and Earth expert Pleakley (Billy Magnussen), who are tasked with capturing the fugitive experiment.

Check out the trailer below.

Lilo & Stitch Movie Trailer

Lilo & Stitch Movie Review: What I Liked and Didn’t Like

Let’s start with what truly shines in this film – the central relationship between Lilo and Stitch. Maia Kealoha is an absolute revelation as Lilo, bringing a perfect combination of rebellious energy and vulnerable loneliness to the role. Her performance anchors the film, making Lilo’s isolation and grief feel profoundly real without becoming overwhelming for younger viewers. And, the chemistry between Kealoha and the CGI Stitch is delightful and genuinely touching – no small feat considering one half of this dynamic duo exists entirely in pixels.

The visual effects team deserves massive kudos for bringing Stitch to life. The blue koala-like alien appears incredibly huggable while maintaining the manic energy that made him a fan favorite. When he’s onscreen causing trouble, the film sparkles with the chaotic energy fans expect.

Where the film stumbles is in its pacing and tone. It races at breakneck speed through some sequences while lingering too long on others. The film struggles to find the perfect balance between staying faithful to the animated classic and establishing its own identity. Some scenes feel like they’re checking boxes from the original rather than serving this particular adaptation’s narrative flow.

Another issue is the film’s visual palette. While Hawaii’s natural beauty shines, the overall production has a somewhat flat, Disney Channel movie aesthetic that can’t match the original’s stunning watercolor animation style. This is perhaps an inevitable challenge when translating such a distinctively animated film to live-action, but it’s noticeable nonetheless.

Script Changes: The Good, The Bad, and The Puzzling

Screenwriters Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes had the unenviable task of adapting a beloved classic while making it feel fresh. Some of their changes work beautifully – particularly the expanded role for Nani and deeper exploration of Hawaiian community. The film places greater emphasis on Hawaiian culture and the concept of community as an extension of family, which adds richness to the story’s emotional core. I absolutely loved this aspect.

One of the more puzzling changes involves Jumba and Pleakley, who spend much more time in human disguises than their alien forms. While this choice makes practical sense for a live-action film (and gives more screen time to Galifianakis and Magnussen), it diminishes some of the visual comedy that made these characters so memorable in the original. Their scenes aim for laughs but hit with less consistency than the original’s brilliant odd-couple dynamic.

The decision to split Cobra Bubbles into two characters – a CIA agent still named Cobra (Vance) and a social worker named Mrs. Kekoa (Carrere) – has mixed results. While it’s a treat to see Carrere return to the franchise (she voiced Nani in the original), this change somewhat dilutes the original character’s fascinating duality. And, ultimately, it’s one of my biggest complaints.

Perhaps the most controversial change is the reduced emphasis on Stitch’s destructive chaos. While still mischievous, this version of Stitch feels somewhat tamer, which might disappoint fans who loved the original’s unhinged energy. The film occasionally seems worried about letting Stitch be too bad, which was part of what made his redemption so satisfying in the animated version.

The Performances That Work

Let’s cut to the chase: Maia Kealoha is Lilo. The 10-year-old Hawaiian newcomer doesn’t just play the role—she embodies every rebellious, grief-stricken, Elvis-obsessed fiber of this iconic character with a naturalism that’s downright startling. Her performance is a masterclass in balancing childlike wonder with the weight of loss, whether she’s defiantly declaring Stitch her “dog” to social workers or quietly confiding in Nani about feeling like an outsider.

What’s most impressive is how she holds her own against a CGI co-star, selling their bond through reactions alone (no small feat when acting opposite a tennis ball on set). If Disney doesn’t lock her down for a franchise, they’re making a huge mistake.

Sydney Agudong also delivers a standout performance as Nani, bringing depth and nuance to a character who carries enormous weight on her young shoulders. This version of Lilo’s sister isn’t just a harried guardian; she’s a fully realized young woman grappling with deferred dreams (marine biology ambitions!), financial instability, and the quiet guilt of feeling inadequate. The sisters’ relationship feels authentic and emotionally resonant – you’ll definitely need tissues for several scenes.

The Performances That Don’t Work

Next up, there’s Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen. These two face the remake’s trickiest task: humanizing (literally) Jumba and Pleakley, the original’s delightfully bizarre alien duo. The results? It doesn’t truly work. Galifianakis’ Jumba leans hard into deadpan humor. But the script sandpapers his edges—gone are the original’s manic genius vibes, replaced by a grumpy-uncle energy that undercuts his menace.

Magnussen, meanwhile, steals scenes as Pleakley, leaning into the character’s wide-eyed Earth obsession. His physical comedy (watch for the scene where he tries “human walking” in platform shoes) is gloriously unhinged. Together, their Odd Couple dynamic works… until it doesn’t. A subplot about Jumba rediscovering his passion for “ethical science” feels undercooked, and their reduced screen time in alien form robs the pair of their most visually funny moments.

The weakest link? Courtney B. Vance’s CIA-agent version of Cobra Bubbles. Reduced to grimacing in the background and barking lines like “This is a national security risk!”, the character feels like a contractual obligation rather than a meaningful addition. It’s a shame—the original’s blend of intimidation and compassion is sorely missed.

Let’s Talk About Stitch

Here’s the truth: no one else could voice Stitch. Chris Sanders, who co-created the character and voiced him in 2002, returns with a performance that’s somehow even richer—a mix of guttural chaos, tentative curiosity, and that iconic cackle. The genius lies in how Sanders modulates Stitch’s voice as the character evolves: early scenes lean into feral growls and disjointed English, while later moments showcase heartbreaking vulnerability (his whispered “Ohana” during the hula sequence).

Paired with stunning CGI that renders every blue fur strand and ear twitch, Sanders’ vocals make Stitch feel palpably real—a feat considering he’s sharing the screen with live actors. It’s a reminder that great voice acting isn’t about volume; it’s about texture.

Overall Thoughts: Broken But Still Good

Lilo & Stitch doesn’t reach the heights of the animated original – few remakes do – but it succeeds where many Disney live-action adaptations have failed: it captures the emotional core of what made people fall in love with these characters in the first place.

Director Dean Fleischer Camp (who previously helmed the delightful Marcel the Shell With Shoes On) clearly understands what makes unlikely friendships so compelling on screen. While he doesn’t always nail the balance between chaos and heart that made the original sing, his focus on the human (and alien) connections at the story’s center keeps us invested throughout.

Families, especially those with younger children meeting these characters for the first time, will find plenty to love here. The film’s messages about family, acceptance, and finding your place remain powerful and resonant. Longtime fans may miss certain elements of the original, but there’s enough of that classic Lilo & Stitch magic to make this journey worthwhile.

Lilo & Stitch Movie Review

Grade: B-