The first full-length trailer for Disney's highly anticipated live-action remake of the beloved 2002 animated classic, "Lilo & Stitch," was released on March 12, 2025. Set to hit theaters on May 23, 2025, the film shares the heartwarming story of Lilo, a lonely Hawaiian girl who adopts Stitch, a mischievous alien fugitive known as Experiment 626. This remake promises to introduce new audiences to the enchanting world of Hawaii and the important themes of family and friendship.
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the film combines live-action and CGI to bring to life the characters and setting fans have cherished for over two decades. Maia Kealoha stars as the lovable Lilo, with Sydney Agudong portraying her older sister and legal guardian, Nani. The original film's co-creator, Chris Sanders, returns to voice Stitch, ensuring continuity of character voice and charm.
The trailer showcases key moments, such as Lilo adopting Stitch after he crash lands on Earth, mistaking him for a dog. The opening scene reveals Lilo gazing at the night sky, believing she has spotted a shooting star. That shooting star, of course, is none other than Stitch himself, as he escapes from his captors. The emotional richness of the original film is preserved, with memorable lines like Lilo telling Nani, "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten," capturing the spirit of love and acceptance.
Adding to the excitement, the trailer introduces other familiar characters, including Dr. Jumba Jookiba, played by Zach Galifianakis, and Agent Pleakley, portrayed by Billy Magnussen. Unlike the animated original, where these characters don disguises to blend in, the live-action interpretation employs holographic technology, allowing them to merge their bizarre appearances with human traits. This creative direction has elicited divergent reactions from audiences, some praising the innovation, or as one fan quipped, "Boring! Cowards!" for not embracing the oddity of their original designs. Still, it opens up intriguing possibilities for comedic moments.
Courtney B. Vance takes on the role of Agent Cobra Bubbles, Lilo's social worker. Vance's presence ensures the film retains the gravity present in the original, as his character navigates the precarious balance of overseeing Lilo's guardianship with Nani. "He is your responsibility. Got it?" Nani firmly tells Lilo at one point, reinforcing the film's themes of accountability.
Fans of the original animated film can expect familiar, touching moments, including the iconic hammock scene which Kealoha describes as "so touching and sad at the same time". Any faithful fan will recognize the visuals accompanying the upbeat tune of "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride," ensuring nostalgia is well integrated with the film's fresh take.
Eight-year-old Maia Kealoha, enamored with the project, enthuses, "It's very fun and amazing. I can't wait [for] you guys to see it. It's gonna be a blast!" Such excitement reflects the eagerness of younger generations to experience this classic narrative redesigned for modern audiences.
The trailer embodies the promise of heartwarming storytelling, vibrant Hawaiian scenery, and lovable characters. With Stitch's chaotic antics shown through scenes of him interrupting Lilo's life—such as tossing CDs from Nani's car or sliding across kitchen floors—the heart of the movie remains intact, illustrating how family can come together even amid chaos.
Critics and fans are eagerly anticipating the release, and as one writer noted, the film reportedly aims to offer audiences both laughter and tears within the same viewing. It is evident, Disney has committed to creating not just another remake, but rather, stepping up to deliver all the emotional depth and quirky humor of the original.
With the live-action "Lilo & Stitch" opening its doors to theaters on May 23, fans old and new are invited to experience the world where family means everything, regardless of the stormy seas they have to navigate together. The excitement is palpable, and as trailers have shown, this fresh adaptation is one for the ages, ready to introduce the cute and fluffy Stitch to a whole new generation.