TL;DR
Disney's live-action *Lilo & Stitch* (2025) is a surprisingly delightful remake that honors the original's emotional core while adding narrative depth. Director Dean Fleischer Camp brings a fresh perspective, expanding on Lilo and Nani's relationship and showcasing Hawaii's culture authentically. Maia Kealoha shines as Lilo, and Stitch's CGI is remarkably tactile. The 4K presentation boasts stunning visuals and an immersive Dolby Atmos audio track. While some bonus features could be deeper, this adaptation successfully captures the magic of the animated classic. Discover why this remake is a must-see and a fantastic 4K release – read the full review to get all the details!
In the challenging contemporary cinema landscape, Disney consistently demonstrates its ability to generate significant revenue. While various perspectives exist regarding the company’s continuous output of remakes, spin-offs, and sequels, their commercial and often critical success is undeniable. However, the announcement of another live-action adaptation of a cherished classic often elicits apprehension. Concerns frequently arise concerning previous adaptations, from perceived missteps regarding character portrayals to instances of suboptimal CGI rendering. Yet, the decision to entrust Dean Fleischer Camp (known for the critically acclaimed Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) with directing this iteration of Stitch’s story instilled a renewed sense of optimism. This optimism proved well-founded, particularly given its impressive theatrical performance, drawing over 300,000 viewers in Sweden—a figure surpassing any domestic film released that year.
The live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch (2025) successfully preserves the original’s distinctive blend of anarchic humor and heartfelt emotion. While many elements will be familiar to fans of the original, the film’s true strength lies in its nuanced adjustments. Rather than a scene-for-scene replication (as seen in The Lion King), the adaptation opts to deepen its narrative and thematic content. The relationship between Lilo and Nani is given expanded development, feeling more authentically grounded in tangible real-world challenges. Hawaii is depicted not merely as a scenic backdrop, but as a vibrant setting imbued with rich cultural authenticity. The iconic moments – like the surfing scene set to the tunes of He Mele No Lilo and Lilo’s obsession with Elvis – are faithfully recreated, yet they are presented with a focus on genuine character development rather than pure slapstick. This adaptation demonstrates a clear understanding that the original’s enduring appeal stemmed from its emotional core, not solely its comedic elements. Child actress Maia Kealoha delivers a compelling performance as Lilo, expertly embodying the character’s unique blend of vulnerability, determination, and idiosyncratic charm that defined the 2002 animated classic. The CGI rendering of Stitch is particularly remarkable. The animators have achieved a tactile quality, effectively conveying his “wet dog meets space monster” essence, making him feel authentically present and endearing within the live-action environment.
Regarding the 4K picture quality, the transfer on this BD-66 is exceptional, approaching reference-grade for OLED displays. The Dolby Vision mastering in HDR significantly enhances the Hawaiian environments; the lush green jungles exhibit striking vibrancy against the deep blue sea, creating an immersive visual experience. The contrast in night scenes, especially during Stitch’s spaceship crash sequence, exhibits impeccable black levels without compromising shadow detail. Sharpness is consistently exceptional, revealing intricate details such as individual strands of fur on Stitch and the fine textures in Lilo’s hand-painted artworks.
Complementing the exceptional visuals, the audio presentation is equally impressive. The Dolby Atmos track is vibrant and dynamic. The height channels are utilized extensively during action sequences, with spaceships soaring overhead and waves immersing the listener during surfing scenes. However, its greatest impact is felt through the musical score. Alan Silvestri’s classic theme and, of course, the Elvis songs envelop the listening space with a warm, nostalgic ambiance. Dialogue remains consistently clear and well-prioritized within the center channel, even amidst intense sonic activity.
Since this release also comes with a BD version of the film, the release includes a substantial selection of supplementary material. Highlights include a “making-of” featurette detailing Stitch’s transition from animated character to live-action (Ohana Means Family), bloopers, and deleted scenes. However, a deeper exploration of the technical production process and an audio commentary track from Fleischer Camp would have been welcome additions.
In conclusion, the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch (2025) is a surprisingly engaging adaptation of a nearly 25-year-old animated Disney classic that honors its animated predecessor. Furthermore, it is presented in a technically superb 4K release that will undoubtedly enhance any home cinema setup. Highly recommended.
SF Studios provided review copies for this test. The material provider has no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with our readers and consumers in focus.
