Review: Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2025) – A Tender Reimagining That Deserves Its Own Space

If you’re heading into Disney’s new live-action Lilo & Stitch expecting a scene-for-scene remake of the beloved 2002 animated classic, recalibrate now. This isn’t a nostalgic trip down memory lane — and that’s okay. What this film offers instead is a heartfelt reinterpretation, grounded in emotional authenticity, cultural reverence, and a more grounded realism that suits its live-action format.

Gone are some of the cartoonish exaggerations and galaxy-hopping chaos, and notably absent is Captain Gantu, the towering alien enforcer. While some fans might lament this exclusion, I found it to be a smart and deliberate choice. Gantu, in a live-action setting, would likely require heavy CGI that could risk pulling the viewer out of the story. We’ve seen this kind of disconnect before — most recently with the uncanny Seven Dwarfs in Disney’s Snow White remake — and the filmmakers here seem to have wisely chosen substance over spectacle.

This version of Lilo & Stitch centers more deeply on the relationship between Lilo and Nani, grounding their story in the nuances of grief, resilience, and the day-to-day struggles of a fractured family trying to hold it together. The lush Hawaiian landscapes feel beautifully lived-in, and there’s an intimacy to the storytelling that works particularly well in this more realistic setting.

Die-hard fans will smile at the respectful nods to the original. Cameos from original voice actors Amy Hill, Tia Carrere, and Jason Scott Lee are subtle yet meaningful, acting as spiritual bridges between old and new. They don’t steal the show — they bless it.

Of course, the release hasn’t been without controversy. Some have called for boycotts, citing the iconic line: “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” Critics argue that the film contradicts this ethos in its casting choices or character adjustments. But this interpretation feels narrow. If anything, this Lilo & Stitch expands the idea of family. It reminds us that “family” is not always defined by blood or perfect adherence to the past. It’s shaped by love, support, and — yes — change.

Does anyone truly get left behind in this film? No. What we’re seeing is a widening of the circle, not a breaking of it.

In the end, Lilo & Stitch (2025) is not trying to be your childhood classic. It’s trying to be something else — something more grounded, more current, and quietly powerful. Give it that space, and it just might surprise you.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars