Lilo & Stitch is poised to be Disney’s best live-action remake yet. Directed by Marcel the Shell with Shoes On‘s Dean Fleischer Camp, the movie was previously slated to release directly on Disney+ before the decision was made to release it in theaters instead. The Lilo & Stitch remake’s cast features Chris Sanders reprising his role as the voice of Stitch. The cast also includes Maia Kealoha as Lilo Pelekai, Sydney Agudong as Nani Pelekai, Zach Galifianakis voicing Dr. Jumba Jookiba, Billy Magnussen voicing Agent Pleakley, and Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles.
Between all the Lilo & Stitch movies and shows that have been released since the original’s debut in 2022, the live-action remake is not the first attempt at extending the popular Disney IP. Nevertheless, the live-action Lilo & Stitch has been one of the most anticipated movies of 2025. That anticipation is now further heightened after the release of the movie’s official trailer, which provides the best look yet at what to expect from the remake.
Lilo & Stitch’s Trailer Has Me Convinced It Will Be Disney’s Best Live-Action Remake
The Performances, CGI, & Tone Are Already Impressive
Lilo & Stitch‘s new trailer shows how the movie is being perfectly translated into live-action. The CGI for Stitch, Pleakley, and the other aliens looks fantastic. The aesthetic is consistent with the aliens’ animated designs while also seamlessly fitting into live-action environments. Between the CGI and hearing Sanders voicing Stitch, this is a fitting iteration of the chaotic and lovable blue alien. Maia Kealoha is adorable as Lilo and her interactions with Stitch are already delightful to watch and leave me wanting to see more, which is a feeling I usually do not get from Disney’s live-action remake trailers.
There are familiar Lilo & Stitch moments in the trailer, like the ice cream dropping from the man’s cone, and just like in the animated movie, Elvis Presley’s music is heavily featured as well. While there are many familiar and beloved elements present, the movie does not look like it is trying to be a shot-for-shot remake of the original story. Camp and the creative team around him instead seem to have prioritized capturing the tone and heart of the original, which are the elements that matter most.
Why The Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Looks So Much Better Than Disney’s Other Live-Action Remakes
It Is Avoiding The Other Remakes’ Biggest Issues
The quality of Disney’s live-action remakes has varied significantly. The issue with many of them is that they either try to imitate their source material without adding anything new, or they veer too far from the original that they become something else entirely. Lilo & Stitch does not appear to have either of these issues. The blend of humans and wonderfully rendered aliens looks natural for a science-fiction comedy movie. It does not have the jarring effect of photorealistic animals like in The Lion King or The Little Mermaid.
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Most importantly, Lilo & Stitch looks just as fun and heartfelt as the original. The remake does not change the essence of the story and the emphasis on found family. There is great chemistry between Lilo and Stitch and between Lilo and Nani, which bodes well for their comedic and dramatic scenes. I am glad that the movie will be coming to theaters on May 23, 2025 and will not be released exclusively on streaming. With Lilo & Stitch potentially being Disney’s best live-action remake yet, it deserves to be seen in theaters.
Lilo & Stitch (2025)
- Director
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Dean Fleischer Camp
- Writers
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Chris Kekaniokalani Bright