If you’ve been thinking about seeing the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, good news: it’s apparently pretty decent!
Reactions for the film hit social media on Saturday night, and those who’ve seen it were fairly warm to it. In addition to being surprisingly good, impressions consider it the best live-action remake of Disney’s erratic bunch over the years. We’ve gathered some of those thoughts here for you to get an idea of what to expect ahead of more substantial reviews in the next few days.
#LiloAndStitch is the BIGGEST SURPRISE of the year and easily the BEST Disney live action remake yet. Dean Fleischer Camp crafts a joyous family adventure that captures the chaos and charm of the original. It’s also OUT OF THIS WORLD HILARIOUS and HEARTWARMING with a star-making… pic.twitter.com/zA3i722bx1
— Daniel Baptista • The Movie Podcast (@dbapz) May 18, 2025
#LiloandStitch is a cute reimagining that mostly captures the original’s spirit through a modern-day lens. Lilo and Nani’s relationship feels even more heartfelt. It’s still raw, real, and central to the story’s emotional core. Of course Stitch brings hilarious chaos. pic.twitter.com/lYh5POQ5As
— iammichaeljlee.bsky.social (@IamMichaelJLee) May 18, 2025
#LiloandStitch was heartwarming & really gave the official film more depth to Lilo & Nani. Maia Kealoha is a STAR! The Stitch was so well made. I never imagined in 23 years they’d be able to merge animation w/ live action this well. It was magical. Very sweet.
— Laura ลอร’า 劳拉 🍥 (@lsirikul) May 18, 2025
Some supporting characters are underserved (though I like some new additions), but #LiloandStitch 2025 maintains the original’s strong emotional core, with a greater focus on the bond (and tensions) between Lilo and Nani. It’s got genuine heart in a way some Disney remakes lack. pic.twitter.com/Cg0LdGsjSp
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) May 18, 2025
#LiloandStitch is the best Disney live-action to date. Seeing Stitch in his live-action form on the big screen brings on a huge wave of nostalgia. Tons of laughter and heartwarming moments. The film hits similar beats to the original, as well added something new flavors. pic.twitter.com/llyEvFBNfM
— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) May 18, 2025
Having lived in Hawaii, my childhood island nostalgia came flooding back ! This is by far one of Disney’s best! From the music, Hawaiian culture homage and a fantabulous star turn from Newcomer Maia Kealoha #LiloandStitch will remind everyone why family is important and should… pic.twitter.com/g19CZGeHNR
— Carla Renata (@TheCurvyCritic) May 18, 2025
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the remake follows the plot of the animated Lilo & Stitch from 2002: Stitch, a genetically engineered alien that loves making chaos, crash lands in Hawaii on Earth and pretends to be a dog adopted by kid orphan Lilo. As the pair bond and make mischief around town, alien cops and Stitch’s creator Jumbaa arrive on Earth looking to capture him. Disney’s been trying to get this remake off the ground for years and put a lot of marketing behind it. Its teaser trailer had 158 million views in 24 hours, the second-highest for a Disney remake teaser behind The Lion King in 2018.
Disney reportedly paused its plans to adapt Tangled for live-action owing to the tepid reception to the Snow White remake. If the numbers for Lilo & Stitch are stronger, the studio may rethink those plans—we’ll find out on May 23.
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