How the Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Took Over the Memorial Day Box Office — and Our Hearts

Jordyn Mayes
May 27
5 min read

Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch crashes into theaters with record-breaking numbers, heartwarming updates, and just enough chaos to remind us why we fell in love with the blue alien in the first place.

It’s official: Stitch is no longer just a chaotic blue alien from your childhood — he’s now a box office legend. Disney’s Lilo & Stitch live-action remake just obliterated Memorial Day weekend records, racking up a staggering $183 million domestically and a jaw-dropping $341.7 million globally. Sorry, Top Gun: Maverick — the Ohana pulled up and pulled ahead. And with it, Disney may have finally found the magic formula for its long-debated live-action remake machine.

So what is it about Stitch that makes him so iconic?

Maia Kealoha, right, as Lilo, with Stitch in “Lilo & Stitch.” Credit...Disney

The 2002 original was quirky, heartfelt, and unapologetically weird in the best way — a refreshing break from the fairytale formula. Stitch wasn’t just another marketable mascot; he was a full-blown identity. Equal parts menace and misunderstood misfit, he didn’t just crash into Lilo’s life — he redefined it. Now, over two decades later, the story has found new life for a new generation — and it's landed in theaters with a force as fierce as Stitch himself.

A Space Fugitive, a Sandwich, and Some Serious Sisterhood

The new Lilo & Stitch wastes no time setting the tone. It opens with galactic authorities announcing they’ve captured a dangerous threat (cue Stitch, who’s locked in a transport pod and plotting chaos). It mirrors the animated version, though there are some cosmic shifts. Jumba’s voice? Noticeably higher-pitched — and not everyone’s loving the vocal tweak, especially since he’s repositioned as a villain this time around (a stark departure from his original redemption arc). And Captain Gantu? Scrapped entirely. Director Dean Fleischer Camp explained that Gantu "just didn’t work so well in live-action" and had to be cut to “make emotional space” for the core story.

And emotional space, this film delivers.

Set in a beautifully rendered, sun-soaked Hawaii, we meet little Lilo (Maia Kealoha), who’s still obsessed with Elvis, still feeding peanut butter sandwiches to Pudge the fish (because he controls the weather, duh), and still doing it all with the same quirky charm — few smartphones in sight, just old-school island vibes and pure imagination. This version toes the line between timeless and modern, sprinkling in just enough updates — like viral-style humor — to feel fresh without losing its soul.

Nani’s New Storyline Hits Home — But Her Casting Sparks Real Conversations

One of the remake’s most emotionally resonant updates is its deeper portrayal of Nani, Lilo’s big sister and legal guardian. Played by Sydney Agudong, this version of Nani is a college-aged young woman navigating the pressures of work, raising her sister, and trying to hold her small world together — all while child protective services threaten to tear it apart. Her struggle feels especially raw and grounded in live-action, adding layers of realism that weren’t always fully explored in the animated version. The addition of a college subplot helps highlight just how overwhelming it is to step into adulthood before you're ready.

Disney

But while the character development has earned praise, the casting choice has stirred up disappointment for many fans. Agudong, born and raised in Hawaii, was not everyone's ideal pick, and it has reignited ongoing conversations around representation and authenticity in Hollywood — especially in stories that are so deeply rooted in specific cultures and communities. For a film set in Hawaii and centered on local identity and Ohana, many feel the casting missed an important opportunity for genuine cultural alignment.

Still, the film offers some meaningful nods to its roots. OG Nani voice actress Tia Carrere returns as social worker Mrs. Kekoa, delivering a touching scene that feels like older Nani advising her younger self. Jason Scott Lee and Amy Hill also reappear in new roles, adding nostalgic charm without overshadowing the current cast.

The conversation around casting highlights just how beloved and culturally significant Lilo & Stitch is — and why every detail matters.

Aliens, Existential Questions, and a Very Articulate Stitch

Let’s talk Stitch. Voiced once again by Chris Sanders (because who else could do it justice?), the alien Experiment 626 looks exactly how he should in 2025 — fuzzy, feral, and borderline nightmare fuel, especially when he gets a little too realistic. Some fans were caught off-guard by how articulate he is in this version — a far cry from the growly gibberish of the original. But it does add clarity to his arc, especially in the emotional moments (like that tearjerking final scene).

Other aliens, like Pleakley and Jumba, are also rendered in terrifyingly lifelike CGI — depending on your tolerance for uncanny extraterrestrials, it’s either next-level cool or slightly nightmare-inducing.

Heavy Themes, Handled Gently

For all the visual spectacle, the heart of Lilo & Stitch still beats strong. The film explores tough themes — child welfare, grief, identity, and chosen family — but does so with sensitivity. It doesn’t shy away from showing just how close Lilo came to being taken away, something the original implied but never explicitly showed. The tension hits harder in live-action, especially with Bubbles (played by fan-favorite actor Courtney B. Vance, though some are divided on the casting). Still, the film makes space for comedy — and lots of it — from Earth's “celebratory poison” (alcohol) gag to the return of the snow cone guy and other laughable moments.

Nostalgia, Reinvented

Fans of the original will spot plenty of callbacks — from remixed songs to new lines. And yes, the sisterhood still slaps. The “Ohana means family” line hits like a gut punch, just as it should.

So… did Disney finally crack the code? Maybe.

While previous live-action attempts (Snow White, we’re looking at you) struggled to find their footing, Lilo & Stitch had something unique: a built-in millennial fanbase, Gen Z meme-ability, and one of Disney’s top-selling characters of all time. With $2.6 billion in Stitch-related merch sold in 2024 alone and half a billion hours streamed on Disney+, this wasn’t just a movie — it was an event.

Lilo & Stitch (2025) isn’t perfect — some of the choices (RIP Gantu) will have hardcore fans raising their eyebrows. But as a love letter to the original and a heartfelt reinvention for a new audience, it soars. Whether you came for the nostalgia, the visuals, or just to see Stitch cause chaos in 4K, this film delivers. It’s funny, it’s weird, it’s moving — and in a world of cookie-cutter remakes, it dares to be a little different.

Ohana means family. And right now, Lilo & Stitch means box office royalty.

Currently in theaters — bring tissues, snacks, and maybe a capri sun.