Lilo & Stitch (2025) Review – Disney’s Live-Action Remake That’s Hitting $1 B Box Office
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Directed by: Dean Fleischer‑Camp
Starring: Maia Kealoha, CGI & Animatronic Stitch
Overview
Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch brings beloved characters back with a stunning blend of puppetry and CGI. Earning over $781 M globally, it became the 3rd highest-grossing film of 2025 3.
Visuals & Technology
Industrial Light & Magic and Legacy Effects combined animatronic puppets with CGI to help Maia Kealoha (Lilo) interact naturally 4. This hybrid technique avoids uncanny valleys and brings emotional realism.
Box Office Success
The film recorded a record-breaking $183 M Memorial Day opening and continues strong with $345 M domestically and $781 M worldwide 5. It’s fast approaching $1 B, outperforming expectations 6.
Critical & Audience Reception
While critics gave it about 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, audience scores are around 93% 7. Family audiences especially praise its emotional warmth and nostalgic tone.
Fan Reactions (Reddit)
On r/liloandstitch, fans express cautious optimism:
“Ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” 8
“Stitch looks fantastic of course and the girl who plays Lilo seems fitting.” 9
However, some critique the CGI tone:
“Stitch looks great but the colors seem de-saturated… CGI edges feel washed out.” 10
Final Verdict
Lilo & Stitch (2025) scores a solid 4.5/5. It successfully captures nostalgia, with fresh visuals and emotional gravity. Perfect for families, Disney fans, and anyone who loves heartfelt storytelling.
⭐ Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5
- ✔️ Inventive animatronic + CGI visuals
- ✔️ Strong box-office & audience response
- ✔️ Nostalgic yet fresh family narrative
- ⚠️ Slight CGI/color grading criticism
