Disney recently dropped the first trailer for its live-action adaptation ofLilo & Stitch, and already, the movie is fixing an animation issue that the company previously struggled with. Based on the 2002 animated film of the same name,Lilo & Stitchtells the storyof a rambuctious alien named Stitch who escapes prison and finds himself crash-landing in Hawaii. On the run from the authorities,Stitch finds solace in a little girl named Lilo, who believes strongly in family. The remake is set to premiere on June 12, 2025.
Over the years, Disney has had varying degrees of success with its live-action remakes. While some films have earned considerable praise, i.e. 2015’sCinderella,other movies have left audiences disappointed, even after raking in impressive amounts of money at the box office. There are several reasons whyDisney’s live-action filmshave flopped for viewers, including changes to the original story and casting issues. However,one problem that was especially pertinent forLilo & Stitch,and is now confirmed to be fixed, is the “live-action” animation.
Stitch Looks Cartoonish In Disney’s Lilo & Stitch Remake (And That’s Great)
Why A Cartoonish Stitch Works So Well
Based on the trailer alone, it is clear thatLilo & Stitchhas aced its “live-action” animation in a way past Disney remakes have not. AlthoughLilo & Stitchmostly uses real actorsand sets,the movie’salien elements made it inevitable that the company would have to use some form of animation and CGI, particularly for Stitch. Fortunately, these special effects seem to blend seamlessly with the live-action parts, with Stitch looking just as adorably cartoonish and strange as he did in the original 2002 movie. Truthfully, him looking like a cartoon is exactly what the live-action movie needed.
If Stitch looked too dissimilar from how he appeared in the original movie, viewers would have inevitably turned on the live-action remake, unable to connect the Stitch they love with this new one.
One big reason why Stitch benefits from looking more cartoonish in 2025’sLilo & Stitchis the nostalgiafactor. A huge obstacle Disney has faced during its live-action remake journey is striking a balance between audiences' nostalgia and fresh new takes on familiar stories. When it comes toLilo & Stitch,the movie’s tender-hearted relationship between Lilo and Stitch and Stitch’s weirdly cute kookiness are its biggest strengths. If Stitch looked too dissimilar from how he appeared in the original movie, viewers would have inevitably turned on the live-action remake, unable to connect the Stitch they love with this new one.
The Lion King’s Photorealistic Approach Became A Problem For Disney’s Remakes
How Live-Action & CGI Continue To Be A Big Problem For Disney
The main reason whyLilo & Stitch’sCGI is so important is because of 2019’sThe Lion King.Disney advertisedThe Lion Kingas a live-action remake, but the movie itself included massive amounts of CGI in order to portray all the animals in the story. A huge setback for the film was that the characters, in being “live-action,” looked almost soulless. They were too photorealistic and lacked the subtly humanistic features that made it easy to root for them in the original. As a result,Disney received backlash for taking the sweetness out ofThe Lion King.
“Such A Strong Pivot”: Mufasa’s New CGI “Aesthetic” Leaves VFX Artists Mixed Compared To Live-Action Lion King
Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King is taking a different visual approach from the 2019 Lion King, with VFX artists breaking down the changes.
Thus,Lilo & Stitch’strailer has come as a pleasant surprise for viewers. AfterThe Lion King,and even its spinoff,Mufasa: The Lion King,it seemed likely that the company would botch Stitch as well. Fortunately, that is not the case. However, that is not to say that Disney has completely figured out how to balance live-action with CGI. In the coming weeks, audiences will see thepremiere ofDisney’s Snow White,which has faced criticism for using CGI for the seven dwarves. In this way,Lilo & Stitchis a great step forward, but does not eradicate the issue.
There’s No Way A Photorealistic Stitch Would Have Worked
What To Expect From Lilo & Stitch
Stitch’s animation style is also a relief because a photorealistic Stitch simply wouldn’t have worked. Mainly, this is because Stitch doesn’t really exist. He is an alien, and though he may somewhat resemble a dog, he is really a small blue creature that looks completely unique from any other sort of animal. Because of this,Disney would not have been able to make Stitch look realistic; there’s nothing in real life to base him on. He would have looked more creepy than cute.
After the success of theLilo & Stitchtrailer, audiences may be able to actually get their hopes upfor this upcoming movie. In the past few years, viewers have been let down by Disney’s live-action remakes due to unexpected plot changes and poor animation. However, with one of those problems already solved, it seems likeLilo & Stitchcould be Disney’s best live-action adaptationyet.Lilo & Stitchhas had an optimistic start, so hopefully, it will only continue looking up from here.
