The benefit of having zero nostalgic ties to Lilo & Stitch–even better, having zero memories of the cartoon other than finding it to be mediocre–is that unlike other Disney live action remakes, I was able to experience this 2025 film having zero expectations or the same level of cynicism I’ve held toward classics such as Aladdin or The Lion King.
I was out of the targeted age range when the original animated Lilo & Stitch hit theaters (you can read my early, college-age, and wholly mediocre movie review here) and I am out of the age range for this remake, which is appropriately targeted at six- to eight-year-olds. Thankfully, I saw the movie in the company of six such children and took as much amusement in their inability to stay seated for more than 10 minutes at a time and the farting noises the theater chairs made every time they reclined, because yes, we went posh and decked out the big bucks for mega legroom that neither the children nor the mom (my friend) sitting next to me were able to take advantage of.
This new Lilo & Stitch is an enjoyable little movie, in the context of its target age range. The humor is pedestrian (my daughter’s favorite bit involved farts, but who doesn’t love farts) but executed well, with plenty of visual gags and silly things happening involving dumb aliens and the humans who don’t seem overly concerned that six-year-old Lilo (played with skill by the adorable Maia Kealoha, in her theatrical debut) has befriended a creature that is clearly not a dog.
I still don’t find the story or the Stitch creature to be all that great (a lack of a real villain or much of a plot at all don’t help), but Lilo & Stitch is nonetheless an entertaining and easy watch. Sydney Agudong provides some adult levity (and something nice for my creepy dad eyes to gaze at) and gives a strong performance as Lilo’s older sister slash legal guardian.
Zach Galifianakis is largely wasted as the villain Jumba (you sort of forget he is supposed to be a “deranged scientist” for much of the movie), while Billy Magnussen gives a solid physical acting performance as his more kind-hearted alien partner. Amy Hill is a scene stealer, taking advantage of the rare opportunities she is given.
While I don’t have a tremendous desire to watch this new Lilo & Stitch again (I’m sure I will, since my daughter will want to play it on repeat once it arrives on Disney+), it’s an amusing little picture that satisfies in the moment. I chuckled, I laughed, I liked the Hawaiian setting and cast. For a children’s movie like this, that is really all I could ask for.
For those that have dismissed live-action Disney remakes as banal cash grabs, Lilo & Stitch likely won’t change your minds, but if it’s not a story you hold near and dear to your heart, this one works well on its own. Expect a sequel to be announced shortly.
Review by Erik Samdahl.