Disney’s latest live-action reboot, Lilo & Stitch, has officially landed in cinemas, earning a solid 75% on Rotten Tomatoes from 59 critics. It’s a heartfelt retelling of the original 2002 classic, now grounded in even more emotional realism — and a few new faces.
Maia Kealoha, in her film debut as Lilo, is a revelation. "She captures that strange mix of misfit energy and deep emotional intelligence" writes Jane Doe from The Hollywood Reporter. Variety’s John Smith praised the film’s ambition: "It walks a fine line between goofy alien chaos and genuinely moving family drama." Meanwhile, IndieWire’s Emily Johnson noted, "There’s nothing subtle here, but that’s the point — the film wears its heart and weirdness on its sleeve."
The film stars Sydney Agudong as Nani and Chris Sanders, returning as the voice of Stitch, who remains just as delightfully unhinged. The rest of the cast includes Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, and Courtney B. Vance.
Fans have long speculated whether Lilo is autistic — while the film never confirms this, her unique outlook, intense interests, and social quirks have made her a quiet icon in the neurodivergent community. Others wonder what kind of creature Stitch is — officially, he’s "Experiment 626," an alien engineered to cause destruction but built with the capacity to love.
Lilo & Stitch hits theatres on May 23, 2025, and while not flawless, it reminds us why found family stories never go out of style.
