*Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Disney’s live-action ‘Lilo & Stitch’
For fans of Disney’s animated legacy, few titles are as beloved and emotionally resonant as Lilo & Stitch. Released in 2002, the original film offered more than just colorful animation and mischievous alien antics. It brought to life a touching story rooted in sibling love, the meaning of family, and the spirit of Hawaiian culture.
Over the years, Lilo & Stitch has only grown in popularity, earning a permanent place in the hearts of Disney enthusiasts around the world. So, when Disney revealed plans for a live-action remake, expectations were high and emotions were mixed. Could a new version capture the magic and meaning of the original?
Related: Disney Plans Expansion for ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Franchise With New Projects
After seven years of development and anticipation, Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch has finally arrived in theaters. While the movie is already making waves at the box office, breaking records and achieving a strong 93% audience rating, its release has ignited an intense debate.
The controversy? A significant change to the story’s ending that has fans questioning whether Disney stayed true to the heart of the original film or strayed too far in its attempt to modernize.
As with most live-action remakes, this version of Lilo & Stitch takes some creative liberties. Past remakes like Cinderella (2015) and The Jungle Book (2016) struck a delicate balance between nostalgia and innovation. Others, such as Pinocchio (2022) and Dumbo (2019), struggled to win over longtime fans.
The Lilo & Stitch remake falls somewhere in between, winning commercial success while stirring passionate conversation about its narrative choices.
The film retains many beloved elements, but there are several notable changes. One of the most discussed is the omission of the character Captain Gantu. Another is the expanded storyline for Pleakley, now humorously attempting to blend in on Earth by dressing like a woman. However, the real point of contention lies in how the film ends.
In the original animated movie, Nani fights tirelessly to keep custody of her younger sister, Lilo, after the tragic death of their parents. Despite facing the threat of separation by the state, the story resolves with the sisters staying together, supported by their unconventional new family—including Stitch, social worker Cobra Bubbles, and a few extraterrestrial allies.
Related: Why You Won’t See This Beloved Character in the New ‘Lilo & Stitch’
The film’s famous line, “‘Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten,” became symbolic of the sisters’ unbreakable bond.
The new film, however, introduces a different path. In this version, Nani is offered a full scholarship to the University of California, San Diego, to study Marine Biology. Though she originally turns it down to care for Lilo, the ending reveals a shift: Lilo encourages Nani to pursue her dreams, assuring her that it’s okay to focus on herself for once.
Nani makes the difficult decision to leave Lilo in the care of their trusted neighbor, Tūtū, and sets off for California. Alien technology allows Nani to visit frequently without the burden of travel, but the sisters will no longer live under the same roof.
This shift has led to a divide among viewers. Some believe the updated ending expands the meaning of ‘ohana, showing that love and support can include personal growth and sacrifice. Others feel it dilutes the original message and dismisses the cultural and emotional significance of staying together.
Author Mariah Rigg, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, criticized the new ending for what it represents:
“The original movie was so much about being against the carceral system in terms of foster care, Stitch’s imprisonment and the colonial system as a whole in Hawaii. I was fully surprised at the remake’s ending, in terms of Nani leaving the state altogether, because I feel like that really contributes to the narrative of displacement of Hawaiians from their ancestral lands. Obviously, there is all this discourse on how ‘ohana means family’ is not really represented in that ending, but in an even larger way, it’s harmful on how it contributes to that narrative of the displacement of Hawaiians from Hawaiian lands.”
Her comments reflect a larger cultural conversation about the portrayal of Hawaiian identity, family structures, and historical trauma in mainstream media.
On the other side of the debate is Forbes contributor Laura Sirikul, who praised the new ending for giving voice to caretakers and the sacrifices they make:
“The ending is actually paying a service to the phrase, as Nani herself doesn’t get left behind in her life and her dreams. Nani is a person, and those aspirations shouldn’t be forgotten or abandoned. Before Lilo became her responsibility, Nani had dreams of studying Marine Biology at the University of California, San Diego (which she got into with a full ride before her parents died). She used to surf with friends, and her potential boyfriend, David (Kaipo Dudoit). She gave it all up to be her sister’s keeper. People often forget about the caretakers and the burnout that they suffer, as well as the sacrifices they make.
The film also makes it a point that Nani never made Lilo feel small about it either. She never resented Lilo, or purposely made Lilo feel like a burden. They would scream at each other like siblings do, but make up in the end, with Nani telling Lilo that she loves her. Nani was an excellent sister, and doing the best she could as an unexpected mother. Nani isn’t the villain in this story, and shouldn’t be made to be one because she is given a chance to live her dream.”
Related: Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Breaks Records Over Holiday Weekend
Director Dean Fleischer Camp also weighed in, stating that the updated ending is more realistic given Nani’s financial situation. He noted that audiences with similar life experiences resonated most deeply with this version of the story.
So, does the new Lilo & Stitch ending honor the spirit of the original, or does it mark a departure too great for fans to accept? The debate will likely continue as more viewers experience the film for themselves.
What do you think about the live-action remake? Did Disney do justice to the story you grew up with, or should they have kept closer to the original message? Join the conversation in the comments, and stay with Disney Fanatic for more updates, reactions, and news from the world of Disney and beyond.
