There’s no place we’d rather be than on a surfboard out at sea, lingering in the ocean blue and if we had one wish come true, we’d wish forLilo and Stitchto be with us as soon as possible. The good news? Our wish DID come true. Disney has just announced that the live action adaptation of the beloved animated classic is setto arrive on July 09, 2025.Directed byDean Fleischer Camp, known for his work onMarcel the Shell with Shoes On, the live-action adaptation aims to honor the spirit of the original and bring it to a new audience.
The movie tells the story of a lonely girl, Lilo — an outcast who is in danger of being separated from her big sister and guardian, Nani, by social services — who finds a new family member in the shape of Stitch, a rogue alien experiment who crash lands on Kaua’i and starts to wreak havoc. After mistaking Stitch for a dog, Lilo soon forms a lifelong bond and the two become best friends.
Maia Kealohawill lead the film as Lilo, whileSydney Elizebeth Agudongwill join the young actressas Lilo’s older sister,Nani.The rest of the cast includesKaipo Duidotas David Kawena,Courtney B. Vanceas Cobra Bubbles, andBilly Magnussenas Pleakley,Zach Galifianakisas Jumba, andAmy Hillwill star as a new character named Tūtū.Chris Sanders, who both wrote the original film and voiced the character of Stitch, is set to return as the voice of Experiment 626. He’s not the only member of the original cast returning.Tia Carrere, who voiced Nani, will play an original character namedMrs. Kekoa.
Chris Sanders Returns as Stitch
The acclaimed director of both the originalLilo and Stitch, and the recentanimated smashThe Wild Robot— Chris Sanders — also serves as the voice of Stitch in the animation, and it’s wonderful to hear he’s returning for the live action. While promotingThe Wild Robot, Sanders recently shared a brief update on his excitement about returning to the world ofLilo & Stitchin a conversation withCollider’s ownSteve Weintraub. When asked about Stitch’s legacy as a character and what it was like to voice the beloved Disney icon again in the upcoming remake, Sanders had the following response:
“I like that the story and the characters have endured. It was my wish that the story and characters would have staying power, and I’m really glad that they have. I’ve never stopped doing the voice. I do it for all the different stage shows and parades and everything, and it’s nice to, several times a year, be able to revisit that character.”
Liloand Stitchwill arrive in theaters on July 24, 2025. Until then, you can watch the original animated classic again and again on Disney+. Stay tuned to Collider for further updates on the movie, and all your other favorite films and shows.
Lilo & Stitch
A young and parentless girl adopts a ‘dog’ from the local pound, completely unaware that it’s supposedly a dangerous scientific experiment that’s taken refuge on Earth and is now hiding from its creator and those who see it as a menace.
