⚠️ Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for the 2025 remake of Lilo & Stitch. Reader discretion is advised.
When Disney released its live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch in 2025, fans were already wary about its quality. The absence of key characters, having human actors play Jumba and Pleakley in human form (which they didn’t have in the animated film) and bad CGI left a bad taste for those who prefer the traditional original 2002 film. By the time the credits rolled, audiences were given another reason to dislike the live-action adaptation.
A New Ending That Broke the Ohana
In the beloved 2002 animated film, Lilo, her older sister Nani, and Stitch form an unconventional but loving family. While Nani, who is 19 years old, struggles with the responsibility of raising her little sister, she’s allowed to remain Lilo’s legal guardian at the end. Their story embodies the Hawaiian value of ohana: where no one gets left behind or forgotten.
But the 2025 version flips that on its head. This time, Nani gives up guardianship of Lilo to pursue her dream of studying marine biology in San Diego. Lilo stays with a family friend, Tūtū, while Nani uses Jumba’s teleportation gun so the sisters can stay in touch.
Why Fans Were So Upset
The backlash was swift and intense, with many calling the new ending a betrayal. Here’s why it hit a nerve:
- It Undermined the Heart of the Story: The original film is a love letter to having a chosen family. Separating the sisters felt like the antithesis of that message.
- It Changed Nani’s Character: Nani’s defining trait was her willingness to sacrifice for her sister. Critics felt the remake made Nani selfish and irresponsible.
- It Felt Illogical: Hawaii is considered to be one of the best places to study marine biology. For many fans, Nani’s decision to go to California for college didn’t make sense since she could have applied to a university that’s closer to home.
What the Director Had to Say
Director Dean Fleischer Camp defended the decision, saying the remake wasn’t meant to replicate every aspect of the original. Instead, he wanted to portray a more “realistic” and modern depiction of family and sacrifice. In his view, the new ending reflects real-life choices many young caregivers face, where personal goals and family responsibilities don’t always align.
He also argued that expanding the definition of ohana to include support across distance is a valid evolution of the original theme.
Shifting Themes and Softening the Blow
The remake puts more focus on Nani’s internal conflict; her academic drive and the dreams she set aside too young. Lilo’s new guardians aren’t strangers; they’re trusted family friends. And the teleportation gun? A Deus ex machina meant to soften the blow and downplay the seriousness of separating Lilo from Nani.
Would an Original Story Have Worked Better?
Personally, I think Disney should’ve just left Lilo & Stitch alone. The magic of a remake lies in seeing the stories we love from a fresh perspective; not stripping away what made them meaningful in the first place.
A young woman forced to choose between family and future is a powerful story, but rewriting Lilo & Stitch to tell it dilutes what made the original special.
Rather than rewrite a classic, Disney could have created something new. Introducing a new character dealing with a similar situation where they have to balance ambition with sacrifice.
If you’re going to remake a classic, you need to protect what made it resonate with so many people. Otherwise, you’re not reimagining a story; you’re replacing it.
