Lilo & Stitch
Movie, 2002, The 2000s, Set in Hawaii
Lilo & Stitch is #17 of 20 in release order and #18 of 20 in chronological order in the Disney Animated Classics.
The story
As Stitch, a runaway genetic experiment from a faraway planet, wreaks havoc on the Hawaiian Islands, he becomes the mischievous adopted alien "puppy" of an independent little girl named Lilo and learns about loyalty, friendship, and ʻohana, the Hawaiian tradition of family.
Lilo & Stitch recap
On a distant planet, the scientist Jumba is jailed for creating Experiment 626, a destructive creature, which escapes and crash-lands in Hawaii. Lilo, a lonely girl living with her older sister Nani after their parents died, adopts the creature from an animal shelter as her dog and names him Stitch. A social worker, Cobra Bubbles, is checking whether Nani can care for Lilo. Jumba and Pleakley, an Earth expert, are sent to catch Stitch quietly, and Stitch hides behind Lilo. He wrecks Nani's job chances and nearly drowns Lilo while surfing, and Cobra decides to take Lilo away. Stitch learns about "ohana", family, from Lilo, and reads The Ugly Duckling, realising he is lost and wants to belong. Nani loses one job after another, and Jumba's attempts to catch Stitch end up destroying the family's house.
Lilo & Stitch ending explained
Stitch is allowed to stay on Earth with Lilo and Nani, who keep custody of Lilo, after he saves Lilo from Captain Gantu. Gantu catches Stitch and Lilo; Stitch escapes and, with Jumba and Pleakley, rescues her. The Grand Councilwoman lets him stay in exile under Lilo's care. Cobra turns out to have once met the Councilwoman. Photos show the new family together.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitch is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes 86%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Atlantis: The Lost Empire, before Treasure Planet.
- Chronological order: after A Goofy Movie, before Treasure Planet.
What to watch before Lilo & Stitch
In release order, 16 Disney Animated Classics essentials come before Lilo & Stitch (2002), from The Little Mermaid (1989) to Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001).
Cast
- Daveigh Chase as Lilo (voice)
- Chris Sanders as Stitch (voice)
- Tia Carrere as Nani (voice)
- David Ogden Stiers as Jumba (voice)
- Kevin McDonald as Pleakley (voice)
- Ving Rhames as Cobra Bubbles (voice)
- Zoe Caldwell as Grand Councilwoman (voice)
- Jason Scott Lee as David Kawena (voice)
- Kevin Michael Richardson as Captain Gantu (voice)
- Susan Hegarty as Rescue Lady (voice)
- Amy Hill as Mrs. Hasagawa (voice)
- Steve Alterman as Additional Voices (voice)
Directed by Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders.