Lilo & Stitch live-action remake isn’t perfect, but it might be the first one that matters

A remake with something to prove

This is not a film review. This is an editorial overview based on observation; an attempt to frame Lilo & Stitch (2025) within the broader pattern of Disney’s live-action strategy over the past decade. As remake fatigue continues to grow, this latest entry manages to cut through the noise; not by being louder, but by being quieter.

The film opened in cinemas on May 23, 2025, with less marketing fanfare than many of its predecessors. That might have worked in its favour. Rather than promising spectacle, it delivers character. Rather than overcorrecting, it dials in. The result is one of Disney’s most emotionally cohesive live-action adaptations in years.

From renaissance to repetition

Between 1989 and 1999, Disney released ten animated originals; films like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Mulan. These were not just commercial hits; they helped define a generation. Since 2015’s Cinderella, however, the focus has shifted. Remakes became the core product; the pipeline has been full ever since.

Some titles were commercially successful. Aladdin and The Jungle Book performed well at the box office. Titles such as Pinocchio (2022) and Peter Pan & Wendy came and went with little impact; they drew limited discussion and lost relevance quickly. Even high-profile efforts like The Little Mermaid (2023) struggled to capture the cultural moment.

The most significant failure was Snow White (2025). Surrounded by controversy from the outset, the film faced backlash over casting; messaging was unclear and the tone inconsistent. The final release did little to reverse public opinion. It underperformed at the box office and quickly disappeared from Disney+ trending charts.

Intimate beats over big moments

Rather than following the overextended approach seen in Snow White, Lilo & Stitch takes a more contained route; the story remains intimate and character driven. It does not rely on grand spectacle or forced reinvention. Hawaii is presented as a place where people live, not just a cinematic backdrop. Visual detail and subtle cultural references help it feel grounded rather than artificially enhanced.

At the heart of the film, Lilo, Nani, and Stitch remain central to the narrative. The writing avoids the temptation to modernise their roles into simplified or exaggerated archetypes. Nani is stressed but layered; Lilo is strange, but never reduced to a caricature. Stitch, rendered through a practical and digital hybrid, retains his chaotic charm without becoming a visual gimmick.

The tone throughout is measured. Dialogue feels natural and restrained. Themes such as grief, isolation, and the meaning of family unfold organically; nothing feels overexplained or forced.

The numbers speak for themselves

While critical reception settled in the low 70% range on Rotten Tomatoes, audience response was significantly more positive. Audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes fall in the 93% to 94% range; viewers frequently highlight the film’s balanced tone, effective pacing, and thoughtful casting. According to PostTrak, 90% of surveyed viewers responded positively, and 81% said they would recommend the film to others.

These numbers were reflected at the box office. The film opened with $183 million domestically during its first four days and passed the $1 billion global mark by mid-July. In an environment where many Disney remakes have underperformed, Lilo & Stitch clearly bucked the trend.

Online discourse followed suit. Viewer reactions on Reddit, X, and YouTube were notably less polarised than in recent years. Praise for the Stitch effects, the casting of Lilo and Nani, and the decision to keep things simple has circulated consistently.

Streaming plans and release timeline

Lilo & Stitch remains exclusive to cinemas at the time of writing. Premium VOD availability begins July 22, 2025. While Disney has not officially announced a Disney+ release date, the typical post-theatrical window suggests it will arrive on the platform in late August or early September 2025.

The strategy mirrors Disney’s recent pattern; allow theatrical momentum to peak before leveraging streaming to reach a broader audience.

Not without its faults

The film is not without its shortcomings. The second act feels somewhat rushed; some narrative beats are compressed in service of pacing. Certain side characters feel underused, and moments that could have offered more emotional impact are resolved a little too neatly.

However, these issues are minor in the context of recent Disney remakes. The story is cohesive; the characters are consistent; the tone never slips into self-parody. More importantly, the film does not feel like it was built by committee.

A small step toward something better

With Hercules, Moana, and Bambi still in development, Disney is not abandoning the remake formula any time soon. But Lilo & Stitch demonstrates that these projects do not have to be hollow exercises. When a studio chooses to scale back; to trust its material; to focus on emotional clarity rather than spectacle—it shows.

Whether this becomes a shift in strategy or remains an exception is impossible to say. For now, Lilo & Stitch stands apart. It tells its story cleanly, respectfully, and with just enough heart to matter. That alone makes it worth paying attention to.