First Live Action Trailer for ‘Lilo & Stitch’: Release Date

Lilo & Stitch has been one of the most iconic and beloved films since its release. And with the announcement of its live action remake, it quickly became one of the most anticipated movies in recent years. Stitch, in particular, is adored worldwide, and now, the live action version is set to premiere on May 23.

If there were any concerns about the remake not staying true to the original, this first look eases them: not only does it seem to follow the events of the animated version, but it also adds a realistic touch that’s enjoyable to see, whether it’s in the special spaceships or in Lilo’s dance classes.

This preview shows not just Stitch’s antics but also how the human characters, Lilo and her sister Nani, are portrayed. And if you look closely, you’ll spot other characters too. For example, Cobra Bubbles, the feared agent who’s on the hunt for the aliens in the story, and even Pleakley, whose look is bound to spark new debates on social media about how closely it resembles the animated design.

First look at Bill Magnussen as Pleakley in the live-action ‘LILO & STITCH’ remake. pic.twitter.com/KXuf1E9yOy

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 12, 2025

The movie follows Experiment 626, a highly dangerous creature that escapes from its spaceship and heads to Earth. It lands in Hawaii, where a young girl, desperate for a pet, adopts it right away.

Life becomes more complicated with Stitch’s arrival, the name given to him at home. But it’s not just because he’s an alien trying to adjust to family life—it’s also because now they’ll have to avoid various threats, from a social worker to a group of aliens searching for the experiment.

To see how the story unfolds, you can just watch the original movie. However, this live action version will retell everything, aiming to conquer the global box office, just as other Disney live-action films have done.

But beyond the trailer, which you can watch above, there are still some unanswered questions. What will Jumba and another villain from the movie, Gantu, look like? What new elements will be added in the more than 100 minutes that this new version exceeds the original’s runtime? Will it capture the same emotional and mischievous spirit as the 2002 classic?