Lilo & Stitch (2025) is out in theatres and it’s a live-action version of the cartoon from 2002. The movie is full of fun, adventure and laughs, and is perfect for a family.

The story follows Lilo Pelekai, a young Hawaiian girl (Maia Kealoha), who is full of imagination and doesn’t mind being different. Since she is an orphan, her elder sister, Nani Pelekai (Sydney Agudong), is her legal guardian. Nani is intelligent, responsible and athletic, but struggles to balance work, life and parenting.

Their situation catches the attention of a social worker and the sisters face the heartbreaking risk of being separated by child protective services.

Life turns upside down as Lilo adopts a strange-looking dog from the animal shelter. That ‘dog’ is Stitch, a blue alien experiment 626 on Planet Turo, created to destroy everything in his path! Stitch, aka 626, escapes to Earth and is hounded by an intergalactic pair of fools and a CIA official. However, instead of being mean, Stitch begins to learn what it means to be part of a family — or as Lilo calls it, ‘ohana’, which means “family” in Hawaiian.

The original Lilo & Stitch cast members appear in different supporting roles; Chris Sanders, who co-wrote and co-directed the 2002 film and voiced Stitch, returns for the latter, Tia Carrere, the original voice of Nani, appears as ‘Mrs Kekoa’, a responsible social worker, while Amy Hill, the original voice of the fruit-stand vendor Mrs Hasagawa, plays an expanded role as Tutu, the kindly elderly neighbour, in the remake.

The live-action effects are cool. Stitch is brought to life with incredible CGI, making him look real while keeping his cute and wild personality. He’s still got all his funny expressions, his four arms (when he wants them!), and his crazy energy.

The movie has excellent music — full of Hawaiian songs that sound happy and full of energy. The Hawaiian setting is so pretty — you’ll see big blue ocean waves, tall palm trees, bright flowers, and sunny beaches that make you feel like you’re on vacation.

In the end, Stitch escapes punishment, Nani receives help with managing her studies, and Lilo keeps Stitch to herself. The movie demonstrates that family is about caring for one another and that everyone belongs. It’s exciting, it’s funny, and it’s full of heart — a super fun movie to watch with your family!

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 12th, 2025