Ohana Means Family

Lilo & Stitch was one of the few Disney movies that I didn’t originally see in the theater. However, I have watched it several times since then. While I love the music, the film isn’t in my top Disney films. But I do understand that it is a cult classic. I just have to wonder, did Disney make another live-action mistake with this remake? In this Lilo & Stitch Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

Lilo & Stitch Christian Movie Review (2025)

Studio Synopsis:

A live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, “Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family.

Lilo Pelekai is a 6-year-old girl living in Hawai’i who longs for a best friend. Following the tragic
loss of her parents, she and her older sister Nani, who is 18 years old, are left to navigate life
alone. Despite this, Lilo remains relentlessly optimistic. When their neighbour, Tūtū, allows Lilo
to visit the local animal shelter (where she loves to spend time feeding candy to the stray dogs),
Lilo brings home a wild and impulsive creature who seems intent on causing chaos. While Nani
views him as trouble, Lilo is convinced her prayers have been answered and that she has finally
found a best friend.
Unfortunately, her new pet, whom she names Stitch, is actually an alien, Experiment 626, who
has fled Planet Turo, and two representatives from the United Galactic Federation, Pleakley and
Jumba, have infiltrated the human race and are in close pursuit.

My Synopsis:

This 2025 film follows the same storyline as the original Lilo & Stitch. Stitch, known as Experiment 626, is sent to Earth in exile, but he is “adopted” by Lilo, who is being raised by her 18-year-old sister, Nani, after their parents’ deaths. Stitch becomes a loved part of the family, but Nani may lose everything if she can not hold a job, pay bills, and look after her sister.

Lilo & Stitch Christian Movie Review – What Parents Want to Know

Language:

One use of h-ll – “what the h-ll.” Additionally, there is “insulting” language such as lunatic and the girls at hula school tease Lilo.

Violence:

Lots of shooting with lasers and plasma guns. Furthermore, the spaceship crash-lands. Lilo almost drowns. Stitch does “die,” but is brought back to life. A man is shot with a tranquilizer gun.

A shock collar is used on Stitch, and he is shocked several times. He also electrocutes himself.

A wedding venue is destroyed, as is Lilo & Nani’s house. Fire is set in a restaurant. Lilo aggressively pushes one of the girls in hula school.

Spiritual Content:

Lilo wishes on a “shooting star” to “send me an angel.”

Other Content:

Mild potty humor. Stitch sits in a punch bowl and farts. He spits, belches, and exhibits rude behavior.

Some scenes take place on the beach with people wearing pretty conservative beach attire.

Positive Content:

I love the message of family. Ohana means family, and family means no body gets left behind.

Furthermore, Lilo is told she is bad, but Nani tells her, “You are not bad; you just do bad things.” I love this! Now, I know that I will get messages that “we are all bad. We are all sinners.” However, we are children of the most High God, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are not bad because everything God made was good. But we do bad things, and it is because of those bad things that we need a Savior.

I also love the storyline of Stitch. He was capable of change when he was loved and wanted. Isn’t that a wonderful thing to teach children? We are all capable of being more than we currently are!

Lilo & Stitch Christian Movie Review – My Viewing Recommendations

While this film is rated PG, it is a pretty tame film. I do not understand why they had to include the one use of foul language. Additionally, while there is violence, no one is ever seriously injured. From a movie standpoint, this isn’t the worst live-action remake, but the music is so much better in the original film.

Overall, the film is fine for children. However, some children may have trouble with some of the violence on the big screen that may not bother them on a television set. My age recommendation is 4-5 and up.

Finally, while this movie follows the original storyline with a few deviations, some of those deviations really confused me.

Spoiler alert:

In the original film, Nani takes care of Lilo. Their parents have died recently. Nani is 18, but doesn’t have it all together. However, from the standpoint of her sister being taken care of, she is doing a much better job than many families in real life. And in the remake, there are even milder offenses. It just doesn’t make sense.

At the end of the live-action film, Nani leaves for school to pursue her dreams. This deviation doesn’t really make sense from the standpoint of Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind.

About the Movie Lilo & Stitch:

Rating: PG for mild sci-fi action.

Release Date: May 23, 2025

Runtime: 1 hour 48 mins.

Genre: Comedy/Sci-Fi

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Rideback

Directed by: Dean Fleischer Camp

Based On: Lilo & Stitch 2002 by Chris Sanders, Dean, DeBois

Screebnplay by: Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Mike Van Waes

Produced by: Jonathan Eirich, Dan Lin

Edited by: Adam Gerstel, Philip J. Bartell

Music by: Dan Romer

Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The Cast of Lilo & Stitch:

Lilo Pelekai played by Maia Kealoha

Stitch voiced by Chris Sanders. He voiced the original Stitch in the animated version as well as directed and wrote the script. He also was Head writer for Mulan, director and writer for How to Train Your Dragon, and The Wild Robot.

Nani Pelekai played by Syndey Elizabeth Agudong

Dr. Jumba Jookiba played by Zach Galifianakis

Agent Pleakley played by Billy Magnussen

Cobra Bubbles played by Courtney B. Vance

Grand Councilwoman played by Hannah Waddingham

David Kawena played by Kaipo Dudoit

Mrs. Kekoa played by Tia Carrere

TuTu played by Amy Hill

Luau Manager played by Jason Scott Lee

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch Disney Lilo & Stitch Live Action (2025)?

Lilo & Stitch released into theaters on May 23, 2025. At that time, it can only been seen in theaters. It will release on Disney+ in the future.

Who is John Hartigan?

At the end of the credits, there is a line that reads, “In Memory of John Hartigan.” Hartigan worked on the live-action Lilo & Stitch and passed away in November 2024. He was a visual effects artist.

Is Gantu in the live-action remake?

No, Captain Gantu is not a character in this live-action remake.

Where was the live-action Lilo & Stitch filmed?

This remake was filmed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Can you say, “bucket list” destination?