First Footage of Lilo & Stich Captures the Essence of its Beloved Character

Nov 26

Disney has officially released the first teaser trailer for its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the beloved animated classic, Lilo & Stitch.

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, known for his work on Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, the film promises to bring the heartwarming story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and her alien companion to life in a whole new way. The teaser, which debuted earlier this week, gives fans a first glimpse of Stitch wreaking havoc on a picturesque beach Godzilla style. Maintaining his iconic long droopy ears and blue fur, Stitch can be seen gleefully destroying sandcastles and causing chaos, all while giggling mischievously.

The live-action film stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong as her teenage sister Nani, and Billy Magnussen as their cousin, along with Zach Galifianakis and Courtney B. Vance in key roles. Chris Sanders, who co-directed the original 2002 animated film, will reprise his voice role as Stitch.

The story follows 6-year-old Lilo and her teenage sister Nani, who live in Hawaii and adopt a genetically engineered "dog" known as Experiment 626, or Stitch. The film explores themes of family, love, and acceptance, with the catchy Disney song "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" making a return for this first official visual.

As of now, Disney has a (generally) successful history of successfully reimagining its animated classics into live-action films, including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. And with the release of Lilo & Stitch, fans can presumably look forward to seeing their favorite characters brought to life in a new and exciting way.

Lilo & Stitch will crash into theaters on Memorial Day, May 23, 2025.