Live Action Lilo and Stitch: I laughed, I cried, then I laughed some more, then I cried some more. I ran out of tissues. It was a whole thing

A bit of an odd move by Disney, the live-action Lilo & Stitch delivers all the fun and feeling of the original—and somehow pushes it even further, resulting in one of Disney’s most ridiculously amazing live-action adaptations to date. (Yes, I said it. Ridiculously amazing.)

My opinion (which no one asked for, but you’re getting anyway):

Most people can wait to stream it. But if you’re a Lilo & Stitch fan (or have kids who are) like me, seeing it on the big screen is a must. Seriously. Do it for Pudge.

But before I go any further…

Spoiler warning:

This review contains spoilers. If you’re spoiler-averse, you can check out my two-minute spoiler-free version on TikTok (@uninvited.reviewer) or Instagram (@uninvited_reviewer). You’ve been warned. Don’t come crying to me when Stitch starts speaking full sentences or something. (He doesn’t. Or does he? I warned you!)

Let’s get one thing straight:

Lilo & Stitch has long been my favorite Disney cartoon. I will die on this hill. DIE. I love Lilo’s chaos. Her ability to be unapologetically herself—even if that means showing up late to hula class because she’s feeding Pudge the fish a peanut butter sandwich. Or adopting a weird alien “dog” and teaching him not just how to be good, but how to have fun.

I even love her when she’s throwing hands (or at least shoving) with little girls who have clearly lived much easier lives than she has—at the ripe age of six. Every time, I will root for the kid who stands tall in her weirdness and doesn’t apologize for it. Lilo & Stitch has held a special place in my heart for years.

So when Disney announced the live-action remake?

I was shocked. It’s not exactly one of the top-tier princess blockbusters in the Disney canon. But once I confirmed it was real (and not just a fever dream), I was beyond ecstatic. I waited patiently through the sea of live-action princesses for this moment. This was my remake.

Did it live up to my high expectations?

I mean… YES. Like, way more than I thought it would.

Here’s why:

1. The casting is perfection.

Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Sydney Agudong as Nani are the heart and soul of this film. If either performance had missed even slightly—or if their sisterly dynamic didn’t feel completely real—the whole movie would’ve crumbled faster than Stitch in a blender (which is a bad analogy because he’d totally survive that). But they nailed it. Their bond feels lived-in, chaotic, and full of love. Just like real siblings.

2. The story takes itself just seriously enough.

The live-action changes up several plot points to raise the stakes—and it works. Cartoons can get away with more because they exist in a more elastic reality. But if you’re going to pluck a wild alien space chase out of the animated world and drop it into something grounded, you’ve gotta give it more emotional depth. And they do. Extra characters and new subplots help fill in the emotional gaps while still keeping the weirdness we love.

3. The new stuff actually adds to the original.

One of my favorite additions? The neighbors! It finally makes sense that the community is involved in Lilo and Nani’s lives. It gives the whole story more realism and warmth. And while the film sticks closely to the original ending, it layers on more context and resolution—leaving you with the sense that these characters might actually be okay. Which, for a story about broken people and found family, hits harder than you’d expect.

Final thoughts:

This movie takes the quirky, heartfelt lore of the original and builds on it. It’s emotionally rich, genuinely funny, and overflowing with heart. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to hug the nearest blue alien you see. (Or at least a plush version.)

One word of warning:

While the cartoon handles heavy themes like the death of parents, foster care, and sibling separation with a light touch, the live-action version leans into those moments more deeply. The emotions are raw and real. I cried so much I ran out of tissues. I don’t think everyone will react the same way—but if you’re bringing small kids, just know it might hit a little harder than the cartoon did.

Verdict:

It’s weird. It’s heartfelt. It’s messy in the best way. Just like Lilo. Just like family. And in the end—ohana means go see this movie.