'Lilo And Stitch' Review Roundup: A Letdown For OG Fans Or A Fresh Take For The New Audience?

The beloved blue alien is back, with a fresh CGI glow and a whole new adventure for a new generation. For fans of early 2000s Disney magic, Lilo & Stitch holds a special place in the heart. So when Disney announced a live-action remake of the 2002 classic, fans were both excited and curious as to whether it could recapture the charm of the original or just turn out to be another ploy to make money. Given the box office failure of Disney’s recent live-action adaptations, and especially after the brutal theatrical stumble of Snow White a few months ago, viewers are not sure what to expect. 

Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch premiered in theatres on May 23, 2025, and if the audience reaction is anything to go by, the nostalgic ride has hit a major speed bump. Here’s what viewers and fans had to say about the latest live-action adaptation.

The remaking of Disney’s beloved classic, Lilo & Stitch

The original Lilo & Stitch, released in 2002, stood out for its emotional honesty, quirky characters, and its deeply powerful message about non-traditional and found families. More than being a cute Disney tale about a little girl and her alien friend, the original movie was raw, touching, and unapologetically real.

The live-action version, directed by Marcel the Shell with filmmaker, Dean Fleischer Camp, retains the basic framework of the story: Experiment 626 (Stitch) crash-lands on Earth, gets adopted by a lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo, and the chaos and bonding that ensue thereafter. However, as per the initial reviews of the film, viewers are divided about its tone and storytelling.

Lilo & Stitch premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on May 17, 2025, and hit theatres across the US and India on May 23, 2025. Ever since its LA premiere, social media has exploded with fan reactions, indicating that while Disney may have nailed the CGI with the latest adaptation, it missed its mark to make it to the hearts of fans. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one disillusioned viewer wrote:

"So the whole subplot about Nani wanting custody of Lilo is altered so badly that this scene meant nothing in the new one.”

Viewers are not happy with how the new version has altered the story’s ending. In the original story, Lilo’s older sister, Nani, fights to retain custody of Lilo, emphasising the themes of perseverance and love in familial relationships. However, in the 2025 adaptation, Nani voluntarily relinquishes custody to their neighbour to pursue her education in Marine Biology. This has created a major shift in the emotional message of the story, which has led to severe fan backlash over the perceived undermining of the original message.

One X user lashed out at Disney and wrote, “Lilo and Stitch helped teach people how not all families are perfect, but in the end, we choose each other. And now, Disney ruined that message.” Some left even more blunt criticisms against the makers for ruining the ending. One of the tweets can be read as:

“Apparently, they ruin the film’s original message and go with a view that I think is prevalent in the world today. So, yeah. I’m not going to go watch this in the theatres. Just going to rewatch the original.”

Viewers find performances as the standout element of Lilo & Stitch (2025)

Keeping aside the changes to the story's plot, reviewers have praised a part of the cast for their respective roles. Maia Kealoha, who debuted with the character of ‘Lilo’, is getting praise for beautifully capturing the spirited personality and vulnerability of the character. Sydney Agudong’s portrayal of ‘Nani’ was also well appreciated. Most of all, Chris Sanders, who voiced ‘Stitch’ in the original movie, reprises his role in the adaptation, and this element worked well with most fans.

What are critics saying?

The Guardian rated Lilo & Stitch 1 out of 5 stars, describing the remake as “unnecessary” and a “monstrosity”, slamming it for “cutting a work of idiosyncratic beauty into a hash of coverage.” They also criticised the pacing of the new story, while pointing out the lack of scenic immersion, and the overall emotional landscape that just fell flat. Meanwhile, Hauterrfly praised the film’s visual elements, especially the “bundle of adorableness” that is the new, CGI version of ‘Stitch’, and Maia Kealoha’s precious portrayal of ‘Lilo’. However, while the adaptation might appeal more to new viewers, it’s impossible not to notice the missing elements for those who have watched the 2002 classic.

Final verdict

As far as the initial global responses of Lilo & Stitch (2025) go, it has been a major hit-and-miss for the majority of viewers. However, the film will undoubtedly charm younger viewers unfamiliar with the 2002 original. For them, the CGI, action sequences, and emotional cues might be just enough. But for fans who grew up with the original, who laughed, cried, and learned about ‘ohana’ in watercolour tones, the remake falls flat. Still, this adaptation may serve as the perfect introduction to the beloved story for a new generation of viewers.

If you have already watched the Lilo & Stitch live-action adaptation, what did you think of the remake? Let us know.

Read Next: 'Harry Potter' Makers Share First Look Of 1.2 Billion US Dollars Mini-Town For The New TV Series

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)