Lilo & Stitch (2025): A little alien with a big heart

In 2002, Disney released the film Lilo & Stitch, which combined unconventional sci-fi with a touching story about friendship and family. The main character is a lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo, who adopts a "dog" named Stitch – in reality, Genetic Experiment 626, created for destruction. Thanks to Lilo, Stitch gradually discovers humanity, empathy, and the meaning of "ohana" – a family that never leaves anyone behind.

Stitch is a small blue alien with four arms, superhuman strength, the ability to shapeshift, and incredible durability. His original purpose was to destroy everything in his path – but Lilo shows him a different way. Because of this, Stitch has won the hearts of viewers around the world as a character who balances chaos and love.

The film's success led to an entire franchise – the sequel Stitch! The Movie, the series Lilo & Stitch: The Series, and other films like Stitch Has a Glitch or Leroy & Stitch. Two international adaptations were created – the Japanese anime Stitch! (2008) and the Chinese series Stitch & Ai (2017), which moved the story to new settings and replaced Lilo with other characters.

This year, in 2025, a live-action remake arrived, starring Maia Kealoha as Lilo and featuring the original voice of Stitch (Chris Sanders). Despite mixed reviews, the film Lilo & Stitch (2025) was a commercial success.

Fun facts:

• Stitch was originally supposed to be an alien gangster on a remote planet – it was only later that the authors placed him in Hawaii, which gave the film its unique atmosphere.
• The voice of Stitch was provided by the film's director himself, Chris Sanders – and he remained faithful to the role in subsequent films and series.
• In the original finale of the film, Stitch hijacked a plane from an airport – after the events of September 11, 2001, the scene was completely reshot and reworked due to the sensitivity of the topic.
• Stitch is one of the few Disney "naughty" heroes who has fully redeemed himself – from a loose cannon to a loyal family member.
• Thanks to his popularity, Stitch has his own attractions in Disneylands around the world – for example, Stitch's Great Escape! or themed merchandise shops.

Lilo & Stitch in theaters

When the first trailers for the new Lilo & Stitch film appeared, it was clear that my daughter and I couldn't miss it. Looking at a theater full of little girls holding blue plushies, I realized the film would be perfect for them. Still, I had no expectations for the film, and after the disappointment of the Minecraft movie, I expected an experience that would logically be completely outside my target group. But in the end, I had more fun than I expected.

In the 2025 live-action version of Lilo & Stitch, we return to Hawaii – and with it, the familiar story of the alien troublemaker who was supposed to destroy everything but discovered family instead. Stitch, officially designated as Experiment 626, escapes from a galactic court and crashes on Earth, where he is accidentally adopted by little Lilo. She doesn't see him as a threat, but as the partner she desperately needs, and Stitch gradually changes from a machine of destruction into someone who understands the meaning of the word "ohana" – family.

The film brings several new moments – for example, Nani decides to put Lilo in the care of their neighbor so she can go away to study. This move divided fans because it changes the dynamic of the well-known sisterly relationship. But otherwise? A lot of what we love about the original story remains – the chaos, the humor, the emotions, and the warmth of the relationship that Stitch and Lilo gradually build between them.

The film is full of bittersweet scenes about loneliness, the loss of parents, and the importance of family and friendship. Surprisingly, these overt emotional appeals work. Mainly thanks to the great acting performances of the two main heroines, Lilo and her sister and surrogate mother – Nani. Both heroines drive the whole story, and it's easy to believe in their problems and root for them from start to finish.

Stitch himself is just a source of complications. At first, he is an annoying element spreading chaos, but as soon as this blue alien calms down and starts helping, he immediately becomes a cute hero you have to love. The climax feels very exaggerated and unlikely, and everything is solved a bit too easily, but it is a film for younger children, and we can't expect miracles.

The film works beautifully as a family affair that even adults will enjoy thanks to the pleasant humor. The great acting performances of the main characters make it an experience that definitely won't offend even the biggest grump. And those are the ingredients that have kept this blue alien at the peak of popularity even after 20 years.

author Karel Krajča