Lilo & Stitch (2025) Review – Disney’s Best Live-Action Remake Yet?

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Date: May 22, 2025

Written by Carson Kelly

Disney has delivered some live-action remakes over the past decade, but few have matched the heart, energy, and emotional pull of their animated originals until now. Lilo & Stitch (2025) surprised me in the best way possible. It’s hands down the best live-action remake Disney has done so far, and it’s clear the filmmakers genuinely cared about doing this story justice.

As someone who grew up loving Lilo & Stitch, I was nervous about how Stitch would look in live action. Let’s face it, he’s not the easiest character to translate from animation to photorealism. But I’m happy to say they nailed it. Stitch looks incredible on the big screen. Seeing him brought to life reminded me of the first time I saw Buzz and Woody light up the screen in Toy Story 3 back in 2011, a memory I deeply cherish, especially since I saw that film with my late pops. That nostalgic connection hit hard tonight, and it made the whole experience even heavier for me.

The story remains true to the original’s themes of family, identity, and belonging. It doesn’t feel like a beat-for-beat rehash, but rather a fresh, heartfelt retelling with real care and love infused into every frame. The casting was fantastic, and I have to give a special shoutout to Iam Tongi, who delivered a beautiful and memorable performance that brought another layer of warmth to the movie.

And yes there’s a post-credit scene! That’s right. Disney is setting this up for more, and I’m 1000% here for it. If there’s a sequel on the way, sign me up.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the story, this Lilo & Stitch is worth the trip to the theater. It captures the magic of ‘ohana while ushering in a new chapter for these beloved characters. I laughed, I teared up, and I walked out of the theater feeling joyful.

Rating: No score needed—just know this: it’s one of my favorite Disney remakes ever.

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