All 5 Lilo & Stitch Movies, Ranked From Worst To Best

The success of the '90s Disney Renaissance gave the company carte blanche to go even bolder with their animated output as the 2000s approached. But, in spite of high concept ideas like "Dinosaur," "Atlantis: The Lost Empire," and "The Emperor's New Groove," the mouse struggled to regain that same momentum. Amidst the chaos, however, came one of Disney's greatest success stories in the 2002 sci-fi dramedy "Lilo & Stitch."

Animator and filmmaker Chris Sanders' failed attempt to turn the early version of Stitch into a children's book in the mid 1980s ended up the best case scenario. Having later worked on many of the Renaissance classics, Sanders was able to revisit the concept as an animated feature. Nevertheless, it took a while for "Lilo & Stitch" to come together on account of multiple story drafts, shifting character motivations, and a climax that had to be altered due to the September 11th attacks. It was all worth it in the end as the beloved animated film went on to gross over $273 million on an $80 million budget, giving way to a multimedia franchise.

The Lilo & Stitch series currently consists of one theatrically released animated film, two direct-to-video sequels, a made-for-television movie, and, naturally, a live-action remake. There's even a sequel to the remake set for a 2028 release. Ohana dictates that none of these films will be forgotten, but some are better than others. 

A common issue among Disney's live-action remakes is that they don't tackle the material from a unique perspective so much as regurgitate an uglier copy of the animated movie. While 2025's "Lilo & Stitch" is by no means the worst example, it falls prey to many of the same pratfalls. The story remains the same with Experiment 626 — also known as Stitch (Chris Sanders) — crash-landing on Earth after escaping the United Galactic Federation, pursued by his creator Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis) and UGF Agent Pleakley (Billy Magnussen). That becomes difficult, however, as Stitch has formed an attachment with young Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha), unaware her new pet is an alien. Meanwhile, Lilo's older sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) struggles to be her legal guardian in the wake of their parents' death.

It's a shame that the performances from Agudong, Magnussen, and adorable newcomer Kealoha are overshadowed by a remake that has no discernible identity. Not even director Dean Fleischer Camp, the mind behind "Marcel the Shell With Shoes On," can move the needle. The changes are cosmetic at best and do little to improve upon the unmatched original story. Passing the villain mantle to Jumba is a bold move that fails due to Galifianakis' low-energy performance that lacks menace.

Even in its quieter moments, this "Lilo & Stitch" always feels like a byproduct of the Disney machine with worse jokes, lack of imagination, and some truly ugly CG imagery.

2005's "Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch" is a strange installment, as it's the third film release-wise but the second chronologically. It released in the midst of "Lilo & Stitch: The Series" airing on Disney Channel, yet doesn't share any of its narrative threads. This is a true sequel that takes place not too long after the first film, with Stitch (Chris Sanders) being haunted by nightmares in which he hurts Lilo (Dakota Fanning) while in his original state of being. Stitch then develops sudden seizures that forcefully unleash his more violent tendencies. This puts a strain on Lilo amid her attempts to come up with an original dance for the upcoming May Day festival.

Writer and director duo Michael LaBash and Tony Leondis do an admirable job of naturally progressing from the first movie, and the animation is a considerable upgrade from the television-styling of "Stitch! The Movie." It even manages to recapture that sense of melancholy in circumstances beyond these characters' control invading their lives. 

But without the sci-fi angle, "Stitch Has a Glitch" becomes a downer. There's a natural thread in here about the emotional strain that comes with living with a disability, yet the film isn't confident enough to see it through. This builds to a lazy conclusion that doesn't make the effort to justify itself. The conflict is resolved rather easily, making the whole thing feel superfluous.

In the vein of "The Return of Jafar" and "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins," 2003's "Stitch! The Movie" acts as a backdoor pilot for the then-upcoming "Lilo & Stitch: The Series." In spite of now being loved, Stitch still feels like an outcast. He learns that Jumba (David Ogden Stiers) has been hoarding the previous 625 experiments in dehydrated pods that unleashes them if they get wet. Jumba's former partner-in-crime Dr. Jacques von Hämsterviel (Jeff Bennett) wants them for his own nefarious purposes, and hires the disgraced Captain Gantu (Kevin Michael Richardson) to retrieve them.

Perhaps the biggest issue with "Stitch!" lies in being sold as a full-length movie. It helps that, unlike the episodic structure of "Atlantis: Milo's Return" or "Moana 2," the 60-minute direct-to-video feature largely acts as a singular story, albeit without a third act. The experiment pods descending upon Hawaii isn't the climax, but rather the inciting incident to the television show, with Lilo (Daveigh Chase) and Stitch vowing to find them all. We get a taste of what's in store with a yellow electricity-based experiment named Sparky (Frank Welker) given an appropriately fitting purpose on the island as a lighthouse keeper.

While a far cry from the original, "Stitch!" coasts on sheer charm alone. Just about every voice actor reprises their roles, helping settle back into the groove of the characters we love.

The ending to "Stitch! The Movie" presented "Lilo & Stitch: The Series" with the premise of capturing all of Jumba's 624 other genetic experiments, and using their powers for good, essentially Disney's attempt at recreating "Pokémon," which means they could have kept things going for hundreds of episodes. But after 65 adventures, the series concluded with the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie "Leroy & Stitch."

Having rehabilitated every experiment, Lilo, Stitch, Jumba, and Pleakley (Kevin McDonald) are rewarded by the Galactic Alliance. With that comes opportunities for the alien characters beyond Earth's reach. As difficult as it is to say goodbye, Lilo gives them permission to leave. But the escape of Dr. Jacques von Hämsterviel (Jeff Bennett) and the creation of the destructive Stitch copy Leroy (Chris Sanders) has the power to bring them all together again.

"Leroy & Stitch" will be more fulfilling to those who watched the series, as it's an all-hands-on-deck finale featuring plenty of callbacks. The climax between an army of Leroys versus all of the other experiments is basically the animated precursor to "Avengers: Endgame." But it still works as a standalone ending to the "Lilo & Stitch" saga that newcomers can hop into. Unlike "Stitch! The Movie," this tells a complete story. It sees the weekly adventure gang grapple with their purpose once there's nothing more for them to do, and it brings everything together in a satisfying and hilarious manner.

For all of the good things to have come from this series, nothing has matched the absolute singularity of that first movie. Nearly 25 years later, "Lilo & Stitch" is just as excellent, if not more so. Writers and directors Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois spend the first 10 minutes effortlessly creating a functioning intergalactic democracy. But once Stitch hits hyperdrive, the duo expertly ease audiences into a down-to-Earth dramedy about two orphaned sisters trying to understand one another through their hardships. There's a palpable maturity to the development of the relationship between the kind-hearted, impulsive Lilo and the loving, unprepared Nani (Tia Carrere). They're allowed to be complicated characters who don't always do the right thing, yet have their heart in the right place.

Stitch's (Sanders) arrival on Kaua'i only strengthens the thematic tie of caring for those who exist on the margins. His presence intertwines comedy and drama, such as when his attempts to fit in keep costing Nani a job that would secure her guardianship over Lilo. Bolstered by Alan Silvestri's score and numerous Elvis Presley tracks, "Lilo & Stitch" is a sonic delight. Older audiences will take notice of the gorgeous watercolor backdrops that imbues the film with its aesthetic beauty.

In the lead up to its theatrical run, the marketing centered around Stitch as an oddity that invaded classic Disney movies. Times have certainly changed, as the beloved blue alien has since become one of the mouse's main attractions.