Scoop of the Day
Disney’s newest live-action adaptation, Lilo & Stitch has been premiered for a curated group of journalists and critics. Early reviews from these select viewers are highly enthusiastic, with most expressing great admiration for the film’s approach and execution.
Journalist Laura Sirikul shared her thoughts on X, describing Lilo & Stitch as a truly heartwarming experience. She praised how the live-action adaptation added more depth to the relationship between Lilo and Nani, highlighting Maia Kealoha as a standout star in the film.
23 years later debuting Disney animated live-action ✨
Sirikul was especially impressed by how seamlessly the character Stitch was brought to life, noting that after 23 years, Disney successfully merged animation with live-action in a way that felt magical and incredibly charming. Originally released in 2002, this marks Disney’s latest venture of transforming an animated classic into live-action, making it the most recent from the 2000s era.
Background
The original Lilo & Stitch animated film debuted in 2002, and this live-action version marks Disney’s latest adaptation of one of their beloved animated classics. It’s also the first of their remakes from the 2000s era to be transformed into live-action. Both the original and the new adaptation center around a young girl from Hawaii named Lilo, who is portrayed as lonely and seeking connection.
She befriends and adopts an adorable, yet mischievous blue alien creature she names Stitch. Together with her older sister Nani, Lilo cares for Stitch, teaching him about family values and the importance of “ohana”—a Hawaiian word that signifies love, kinship, and belonging.
Daily Box Office!
The original Lilo & Stitch film achieved remarkable success at the box office, earning a total of $273 million globally on a relatively modest budget of $80 million. Its captivating storytelling and charming characters garnered critical recognition, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature—though it ultimately was bested by the acclaimed film Spirited Away.
The movie’s widespread popularity, especially among children, led to the creation of numerous sequels, television series, and video games, solidifying Stitch as a beloved and iconic character in popular culture.
