The Lilo & Stitch live-action remake is a reinterpretation of Disney's animated classic of the same name, and the project continues to provide updates on the movie's casting, plot, and more. Blending CGI with live-action footage, Disney has produced many successful live-action remakes, such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Cinderella​​​​​​, and The Jungle Book, and it seems likely the studio will eventually get through all of its animated features.

One of the few Disney animated films not based on preexisting material, the original Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002 and revolves around the friendship between a young Hawaiian girl and the destructive extraterrestrial creature she adopts. The success of the first Lilo & Stitch spawned three direct-to-video sequels and three TV series, including an anime, plus a Lilo & Stitch manga set in feudal Japan. The live-action Lilo & Stitch remake will bring back the beauty of its setting as well as Lilo and Stitch's iconic friendship and the franchise's brand of family-friendly humor.

Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Latest News

A New Clip Premieres At CinemaCon

With the movie's release date coming very soon, the latest news arrives in the form of Lilo & Stitch which premiered at CinemaCon. Disney was one of the main presenters at the annual movie preview convention in April 2025, and they dedicated some time to the live-action remake. The clip screened at CinemaCon shows a dejected Lilo trying to control her "dog" as she waits while Nani works. Stich, being his usual rambunctious self, doesn't take too kindly to being bossed around and proceeds to spray Lilo with the soda nozzle.

Watch the clip here:

Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Release Date

The Remake Will Premiere In 2025

the film is now taking an important place in Disney's 2025 summer slate

The trajectory of the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake has changed dramatically in recent years, but Disney has finally added it to the official release schedule. What was once supposed to release on Disney+ in 2024, the film is now taking an important place in Disney's 2025 summer slate and will premiere on May 23, 2025. The movie is a theatrical release, though it will certainly end up on Disney+ at some point after it leaves theaters.

The original Lilo & Stitch premiered on June 16, 2002.

Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Cast

Who Plays Who In The Live-Action Remake?

The cast of the Lilo & Stitch live-action movie is not without its controversies, and though it is taking shape, some changes have been made. Kahiau Machado was originally cast in the role of David Kawena but was recast after it was revealed he had previously used a racial slur. Kaipo Dudoit has since been tapped to play the role. The casting of Sydney Agudong as Nani Pelekai earned the live-action Lilo & Stitch backlash when the production was accused of colorism. Nevertheless, Agudong has retained the role as Lilo's protective older sister.

On the returning front, Chris Sanders will reprise his role from the 2002 animated film, and he will voice the lovable blue alien, Stitch. In perhaps the movie's most important role, Maia Kealoha has been cast as Lilo Pelekai, the rambunctious six-year-old who adopts Stitch. Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) will also appear in the film as the Grand Councilwoman.

The entire known Lilo & Stitch live-action cast includes:

Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Story Details

What Will Happen In The Remake?

the live-action remake is more or less the same story as the animated film

Like the original Lilo & Stitch, the remake will focus on the alien Stitch's initial plans to cause havoc as he is pursued by government agents and other extraterrestrial creatures. But Stitch acquires a more friendly nature and finds a new purpose in life when he befriends Lilo. Based on the full trailer that arrived in March 2025, it seems as if the live-action remake is more or less the same story as the animated film. Though some specifics are tweaked, it's the same structure.

Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Trailer

Watch The Full Trailers Below

In anticipation of the movie's May 2025 release, Disney revealed the first teaser for Lilo & Stitch in November 2024. The teaser opens with a grand shot of Hawaii as seen from the ocean, before jump cutting to a sandy beach and sandcastle that looks a lot like Disney's signature castle logo. Suddenly, Stitch appears and proceeds to stomp down the sandcastle while happily grunting and laughing.

After months of teases, Disney finally released a full-trailer for Lilo & Stitch in March 2025. The two-minute trailer opens with the inciting incident where Stitch escapes from custody and heads for Earth. Once there, he is adopted by Lilo and Nani, though the latter is unhappy with all the chaos that Stitch causes. As Nani, Lilo, and Stitch slowly become a family unit, intergalactic agents Jumba Jakooba and Pleakley arrive to capture Stitch, and federal Agent Cobra Bubbles is stalking Experiment 626 as well.