Release Date: June 21, 2002
Running Time: 85 minutes
Budget: Around $80 million
Box Office: Made over $273 million all over the world
Lilo & Stitch: Looking Back at a Disney Favorite from 2002
What's the Story?
Back in the early 2000s, Disney was trying to figure out where they fit in. Hand-drawn movies were still a thing, but computer animation was becoming super popular. Lilo & Stitch, which came out in 2002, felt different. It had a lot of heart, the characters were really original, and it felt real in the way it showed Hawaiian culture.
The Plot—Quick Version
The movie takes place in Hawaii. Lilo Pelekai is a little girl who's having a rough time because she lost her parents. She lives with her older sister, Nani, and she often feels alone and acts out. At the same time, on another planet, a crazy scientist makes Experiment 626—a little alien that's meant to cause trouble. They think 626 is too dangerous, so he escapes and lands on Earth, right in Hawaii.
Lilo wants a friend, so she adopts 626 from a shelter, thinking he's a dog, and names him Stitch. What she doesn't know is that the Galactic Federation, including the scientist who created him and an alien agent named Pleakley, is after Stitch, wanting to catch him. As Stitch spends time with Lilo and Nani, he starts to get what 'ohana' means—family. It's a Hawaiian word that means nobody gets left behind. Stitch goes from being destructive to someone who cares about his new family, and he even protects them from danger.
Meet the Characters (and the Actors)
Lilo Pelekai (Daveigh Chase): She's six years old, Hawaiian, and loves Elvis. Lilo is a bit odd, but that's what makes her so likable.
Stitch/Experiment 626 (Chris Sanders): He's an alien made to cause chaos, but he changes as he learns about family.
Nani Pelekai (Tia Carrere): Lilo's older sister is trying hard to take care of Lilo. She shows how hard it can be when a young person has to be in charge.
Dr. Jumba Jookiba (David Ogden Stiers): He made Stitch! Sometimes he's a bad guy, sometimes he's not. That makes him interesting.
Agent Wendy Pleakley (Kevin McDonald): He's an alien helping to find Stitch. He doesn't get Earth culture, which makes for some funny moments.
Cobra Bubbles (Ving Rhames): He used to be a CIA guy; now he's a social worker checking on Nani. He seems tough, but he cares about Lilo.
What the Movie is Really About
Lilo & Stitch is about family, finding where you fit in, and accepting people for who they are. 'Ohana' is a big part of it, showing that family isn't just about blood. It's about the people you love and who love you back. The important message is that everyone deserves to be included and supported, no matter what.
The movie did a good job of showing Hawaiian culture the right way. They showed hula, used the Hawaiian language, and talked about their traditions. This way, people from all over could learn something about Hawaii.
How it Looks
Lilo & Stitch looked different from other Disney movies at the time. They used watercolor backgrounds, which made it look soft and warm, sort of like older Disney movies. The characters were round and easy to read, so you could see their emotions, especially how Stitch changes.
The Music
The music was great! It had original songs mixed with Elvis tunes because Lilo loves the King. Songs like Heartbreak Hotel and Suspicious Minds fit perfectly in the movie. The score, by Alan Silvestri, used Hawaiian instruments to make you feel like you were right there on the islands.
What People Thought
When Lilo & Stitch came out, people seemed to like it. Critics said it was heartwarming, the animation was cool, and it felt real. It got a good score on Rotten Tomatoes, with people saying it was original and moving.
Money Talk
It cost about $80 million to make Lilo & Stitch. It made over $273 million, which means it did really well. It proved that Disney could still make good movies, even though computer animation was becoming more common.
Did it win anything?
The movie was up for an Academy Award for best animated feature. It didn't win—Spired Away did—but getting nominated was still a big deal, showing that it was a good movie.