Disney’s 2025 Lilo & Stitch is more than just a live-action remake; it’s a surprise. 

While many of the studio’s previous reboots have struggled to replicate the spirit of their animated predecessors, this one stands out. It does not attempt to replace the 2002 classic, which is an excellent choice. Instead, it enhances the original’s emotional core while bringing the story to life in ways that are new, resonant and truly wonderful.

At its core, Lilo & Stitch is a fable about outsiders. It is about being misunderstood, different love and the stunning beauty of a chosen family. This remake capitalizes on all of that with unexpected emotional maturity, enhanced visual storytelling and a cast that adds fresh depth to cherished Disney characters.

Technology with heart

We’ve seen Disney flex its CG muscles before, but Lilo & Stitch takes things to a whole new level. Stitch isn’t just believable — he’s alive. 

From his chaotic crash-landing to the way he gradually softens under Lilo’s love, every moment feels genuine. You forget you’re watching a digital creation.

The interactions between Lilo and Stitch make up the heart of the movie. The chemistry is so natural and multilayered that you truly believe in their relationship. 

This is mainly a result of Maia Kealoha’s stunning portrayal as Lilo. At six years old, she gives a raw, layered and remarkable performance. Acting beside a character who isn’t physically present is difficult for any actor, but Kealoha hits every emotional note with remarkable perfection.

Expanded ‘Ohana’

While the cartoon version centered on Lilo and Stitch, the live-action version wisely gives more screen time to other characters, most notably Nani, Lilo’s older sister and reluctant guardian. Nani is no longer just a supporting character; she is a fully developed lead. Her battle to manage being a sister, mother figure and individual is recounted with candidness. Nani’s journey will strike a chord with everyone who has ever had to “hold it all together” while falling apart within.

We also get a new perspective on the film’s alien combo, Pleakley and Jumba, who are brilliantly played by Billy Magnussen and Zach Galifianakis. Thanks to a creative plot twist that allows them to take human form (with the occasional humorous “slip” back to alien mode), they bring laugh-out-loud physical comedy and unexpected depth. 

Jumba’s new role as a pseudo-villain-turned-redeemed-creator adds an entirely new emotional element to Stitch’s story. He’s no longer just a renegade experiment; he’s a child breaking free from the only “parent” he’s ever had.

A story that grows with you

What distinguishes this remake is how much it trusts its viewers, particularly the younger ones, to deal with complex emotions. It does not sugarcoat Lilo’s rage or loneliness. Instead, it delves into how trauma may manifest as “bad behavior,” and how empathy, not punishment, is the key to healing. The message that humans aren’t bad — “they just sometimes do bad things” — is delivered much more powerfully in this adapted version.

The picture also retains the quirkiness and humor that made the original so popular, from Elvis needle-drops to hilarious extraterrestrial pranks. But, more significantly, it never loses touch with its emotional core. It’s still a narrative about ohana - the family you choose, the people who stick around when things go tough and the strength of unwavering love.

Final verdict

Lilo & Stitch (2025) may be Disney’s best live-action adaptation to date, a big claim that the film earns with heart, innovative thinking and sheer realism. It respects the original’s legacy while daring to go deeper. It isn’t attempting to outdo what came before. It’s aiming to convey, “There’s still more to this story — and here it is.”

It’s a funny, heartwarming, and emotionally moving story that reminds us that family isn’t about perfection. It’s about staying, especially when things get challenging. And in a world when so many people feel lost or wounded, Lilo & Stitch is the kind of uplifting, healing story that we need more of.

“Ohana means family. “Family means nobody gets left behind…or forgotten.” This version of Lilo & Stitch will not be forgotten soon.