The Big Screen: Lilo & Stitch

Disney is bringing one of its most beloved animated tales to life once again with the upcoming live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, hitting cinemas on May 22, 2025. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) and written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, this science fiction comedy-drama blends heartfelt storytelling with zany alien antics, introducing the timeless message of ‘ohana’ (family) to a new audience.

The film stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo Pelekai, a spirited Hawaiian girl navigating loneliness and grief. Her life changes forever when she adopts a strange, blue “dog” — actually Experiment 626, a destructive alien fugitive known as Stitch, voiced once again by original creator Chris Sanders. The voice actor’s return adds an authentic touch for longtime fans of the 2002 animated classic.

The cast includes Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Lilo’s sister Nani, Billy Magnussen, Zach Galifianakis, Hannah Waddingham, and Courtney B. Vance. Familiar voices from the original film, including Tia Carrere, Amy Hill, and Jason Scott Lee, will also return in supporting roles, providing nostalgic continuity to this reimagining.

The premise stays true to the original: a lonely girl finds solace and connection through her bond with a creature engineered for destruction. As government agents and alien enforcers pursue Stitch, Lilo teaches him the true meaning of family — showing that even the most chaotic among us can find a place to belong.

Development on the remake began in 2018, with several shifts in creative leadership before Dean Fleischer Camp officially took over as director in 2022. Originally titled Bad Dog, the film was produced under the newly formed “Blue Koala Pictures, Inc.,” a nod to Stitch’s iconic design. Both screenwriters, Bright and Van Waes, are credited with the final script.

Adding musical depth, Dan Romer was announced as the film’s composer in February 2025. The score will feature beloved tracks from the original, such as “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride,” along with Elvis Presley hits like “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise.”

Marketing has leaned heavily into humor and nostalgia. Disney’s first teaser poster, released in November 2024, featured a dramatic close-up of Stitch. Teasers have parodied famous Disney moments — Stitch destroying a Cinderella sandcastle, mimicking The Lion King’s Rafiki moment, and even running amok in the Super Bowl stadium — capturing the spirit of the original’s playful cross-promotional campaign. The Super Bowl spot alone garnered over 173 million views in just 24 hours.

With heart, humor, and spectacle, Lilo & Stitch (2025) promises to be a fresh yet faithful remake that celebrates chaos, love, and the power of chosen family.

In cinemas on May 22, 2025.