Lilo and Stitch
Parents say
Based on 56 reviews
Kids say
Based on 72 reviews
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Lilo and Stitch
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that some action elements of Lilo & Stitch (including laser battles, gunfire, characters being captured and held hostage, and explosions) -- as well as the more bizarre-looking monsters -- could be scary for young kids. Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders), a small but powerful intergalactic creature, is destructive and angry; he bares his sharp teeth and angry attitude frequently, causing chaos and mayhem wherever he goes. As in many Disney stories, Lilo (Daveigh Chase) and her sister Nani (Tia Carrere) are orphans, grieving and struggling to adapt to life without their parents, though the circumstance of their parents' death (a car accident) is referenced only once. In a break from Disney tradition, there are no unredeemable villains: everyone ultimately learns important life lessons, including the heroes, who are far from perfect when the movie begins. Characters demonstrate compassion, courage, and perseverance.
Community Reviews
Overaggressive and stressful.
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bullying language, whining, not for little kids
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What's the Story?
LILO & STITCH opens on a far-away planet with all kinds of monstrous-looking creatures. One of them, a scientist, has been experimenting with genetics and has created an indestructible destruction machine called 626 that takes the form of a mischievous-looking little blue guy. The scientist is thrown in jail, but the experiment escapes and races off to a planet they refer to as "E-Arth." So, the scientist and an Earth expert are sent after him to capture him with as little damage as possible. 626 lands in Hawaii and disguises himself as a dog, getting adopted by a little girl named Lilo who's grieving the loss of her parents. She names him Stitch and teaches him that even a creature designed to destroy can learn to create and love.
Is It Any Good?
A cute story, endearing characters, a sensational soundtrack of Elvis classics, and glorious hand-painted animation make this Disney film a winner. At its heart, Lilo & Stitch is just an old-fashioned story of a child and a pet. But this isn't the usual movie child, and it's definitely not the usual pet. The Hawaiian location and gorgeous visuals give it a fresh feeling. And instead of the usual waifish Disney heroine who's waiting to be saved, there's Nani, Lilo's older sister, who's struggling to grow up quickly so that she can care for Lilo the way her parents did.
Lilo is irresistibly adorable, and her relationship with her sister is a believable mixture of affection, resentment, and connection. Both are deeply affected by the loss of their parents, and their behavior and how they treat the people around them reflects the trauma and grief they're enduring. Ving Rhames adds just the right note of wry authority to his role as Cobra Bubbles, the social worker with a surprising past, and Jason Scott Lee is fine as Nani's friend who would like to be more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how family is defined in Lilo & Stitch. As Lilo puts it: "No one gets left behind or forgotten." What does family mean to you?
Is this movie scarier than other Disney movies (or other cartoon movies in general)? Why, or why not?
Why didn't Stitch stay the destructive monster he was designed to be? Did anything surprise you in the scenes at the end that showed what happened to Lilo and Stitch and Nani?
How does Lilo show compassion to Stitch and her sister despite her behavior at the beginning of the movie?
How does Nani demonstrate courage and perseverance as she tries to keep her family together?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 21, 2002
- On DVD or streaming: December 3, 2002
- Cast: Chris Sanders, Daveigh Chase, Tia Carrere
- Directors: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
- Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Space and Aliens
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Courage, Perseverance
- Run time: 85 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some peril and scariness
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Sweet father-son tale has some very scary moments.
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Fun Hawaii adventure celebrates culture; peril, language.
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