Disney is bringing a little more ohana (and a lot more chaos) to theaters this summer with its live-action Lilo & Stitch—and the first trailer just dropped, giving us a glimpse of Stitch’s antics, Lilo’s heartfelt wish, and Courtney B. Vance stepping in as Agent Cobra Bubbles.
The trailer kicks off with a foreboding voice announcing, “We have apprehended a dangerous experiment.” But as expected with Stitch, things go left real quick. His captors soon realize their mischievous blue prisoner has escaped, commandeering a police cruiser—because, of course, he took the red one.
Meanwhile, down in Hawaii, Maia Kealoha’s Lilo catches sight of his spaceship tearing through the sky, mistaking it for a shooting star. “I wish for a friend,” she says, just before getting shoved during a hula lesson. “Like a best friend.” (Disney knows how to hit those emotional beats early.)
And then, in classic Stitch fashion, he crash-lands and immediately shapeshifts into what can only be described as the most questionable-looking “dog” the island has ever seen.
“He’s so cute and fluffy!” Lilo gushes. But big sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) isn’t having it. “He is your responsibility,” she deadpans, already sensing the intergalactic headache on the horizon.
The trailer also confirms that Stitch isn’t the only one making a return. The ever-serious Agent Cobra Bubbles (played by Courtney B. Vance) is hot on his trail, as are Jumba and Pleakley, the extraterrestrial duo tasked with bringing Experiment 626 back where he belongs.
And yes, they even kept the infamous ice cream gag—except this time, it’s not mint chocolate chip hitting the pavement, but rainbow Hawaiian shaved ice. Small details, but Disney knows the Lilo & Stitch faithful are watching closely.
Originally slated for a Disney+ debut, Lilo & Stitch was later upgraded to a theatrical release, signaling Disney’s confidence that Stitch’s signature brand of chaos will bring audiences to theaters. (And let’s be real, with Moana 2 making the same jump, it’s clear that these legacy properties still have box office pull.)
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), the film stars newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo, alongside Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Kaipo Dudoit, Amy Hill, Jason Scott Lee, and Hannah Waddingham. Most notably, Chris Sanders—who co-created Lilo & Stitch and voiced the lovable yet destructive alien in the original—returns to voice Stitch once again.
For those keeping track, Lilo & Stitch has been a cultural staple since its 2002 animated debut, spawning sequels, a TV series, and a loyal following. The original was known for its heartfelt themes of found family, Hawaiian culture, and, of course, Stitch’s chaotic charm.
Now, over two decades later, the live-action adaptation is set to bring those same themes to a new generation, with an updated look and a theatrical push.
So, will this Lilo & Stitch capture the magic of the original? Or is it just another addition to Disney’s ever-growing live-action roster? We’ll find out when it hits theaters Memorial Day weekend, May 23, 2025. Until then, you can check out the first trailer below.