Premiere - Lilo & Stitch : The Return of ʻOhana in a Magical Hollywood Premiere Full of Heart, History, and Blue-Furred Chaos

By Mulder, Los Angeles, El Capitan Theatre, 17 may 2025

On the evening of May 17, 2025, the streets of Hollywood shimmered under a warm California sun as the El Capitan Theatre—Disney’s cherished premiere venue—was transformed into a radiant slice of Hawaiʻi for one of the most anticipated movie events of the year: the world premiere of the live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch. More than two decades after the original animated classic first won hearts with its unapologetically weird but touching story of friendship and family, Disney brought the tale full circle, not just in narrative, but in location. The historic theatre was where the 2002 film made its debut, and this latest incarnation paid tribute to the legacy while boldly stepping into a new era. Themed like a Hawaiian celebration, the blue carpet event wasn't just a marketing spectacle—it was an immersive, emotional journey. Real hula dancers swayed with practiced elegance, the scent of fresh orchids floated in the air, and traditional Hawaiian chants set the tone with a spiritual gravitas that was impossible to ignore. This wasn't Hollywood mimicking culture; it was Hollywood hosting it. The premiere exuded reverence, fun, and most importantly, ʻohana—the very essence of what makes Lilo & Stitch endure.

As the cast, crew, and special guests began to arrive, the energy was more intimate than ostentatious, a rarity for a major studio release. Newcomer Maia Kealoha, who plays the spirited and lonely Lilo, made her premiere debut with wide eyes and genuine wonder, her excitement radiating in every interview and candid moment. For Kealoha, a young actress from Hawaiʻi, this wasn't just a professional milestone—it was a personal one. Seeing her on the carpet, surrounded by performers and creatives committed to honoring the film’s cultural roots, felt like a restoration of Disney’s efforts to get the story right. Standing beside her were returning legends and fresh faces: Chris Sanders, co-creator of the original and the unmistakable voice of Stitch, was there with his signature blend of humility and dry wit, sharing stories about returning to the recording booth after two decades and voicing the creature he once described as “chaotic neutral.” Zach Galifianakis, Courtney B. Vance, Sydney Agudong, Kaipo Dudoit, Amy Hill, and a radiant group of collaborators came together not only to celebrate a film, but to bridge generational gaps between those who grew up with the original and those discovering its magic for the first time.

Director Dean Fleischer Camp, no stranger to unconventional storytelling after helming Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, stood proudly beside his cast and producers, beaming as he described the surreal joy of seeing the film on the big screen with a live audience. His involvement had signaled early on that this remake wouldn’t be formulaic. With a screenplay crafted by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, the film was born of years of planning, false starts, and unexpected roadblocks—including a fire that caused significant damage to the set and a temporary halt due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The premiere was, in many ways, the culmination of a production journey as unpredictable as Stitch himself. Yet, through the challenges, the team remained steadfast in their vision to tell this story with care, precision, and a little alien mischief. Chris Sanders recorded all his lines while simultaneously working on The Wild Robot, doing marathon voice sessions to make sure his take on Stitch retained the gravelly humor and unhinged charm that made the character so beloved. His absence from the set was certainly felt, but when the crowd at El Capitan heard that familiar voice erupt across the Dolby speakers, there was an audible gasp of recognition. Stitch was back—and he hadn't aged a day.

Of course, no modern film release—especially one from Disney—comes without scrutiny, and Lilo & Stitch’s production history was punctuated by controversy. Social media lit up when casting choices were announced, particularly around Sydney Agudong’s portrayal of Nani, Lilo’s older sister. Despite being a Kauaʻi-born mixed-race actress, Agudong faced harsh backlash over perceived colorism, leading to a broader, and necessary, discourse about Hollywood’s portrayal of Pacific Islander communities. The issue was compounded by the removal of original cast member Kahiau Machado due to the resurfacing of offensive social media posts, a move that reflected the production’s commitment to accountability but also deepened the tension around the film’s cultural handling. And yet, amidst these storms, a thoughtful core of the film remained intact. The casting of original voice talents Tia Carrere, Amy Hill, and Jason Scott Lee in new supporting roles was a small but meaningful gesture—an acknowledgment that honoring the past while reimagining the future is not only possible, but necessary. These casting choices threaded the needle between nostalgia and progress, ensuring that the film didn’t merely exploit legacy, but embraced it.

Visually, Stitch’s redesign was one of the most high-stakes decisions Disney had to make—and they nailed it. Introduced at D23 to roaring applause, the live-action Stitch struck the perfect balance between believable CGI and the whimsy of the 2002 design. Unlike Sonic the Hedgehog’s now-infamous marketing blunder, Stitch arrived on the scene with his wide eyes, big ears, and chaotic grin fully intact. Disney’s marketing campaign leaned heavily into Stitch’s unpredictable antics, launching with a series of crossover posters where Stitch vandalized iconic Disney imagery and culminating in a viral Super Bowl LIX commercial where the alien ran rampant through Caesars Superdome. It wasn’t just clever branding; it was a joyful reintroduction that acknowledged what fans loved while making it accessible for younger audiences. With over 173 million views within 24 hours, that TV spot became the most-watched digital Disney promo of all time, an astounding testament to the character’s lasting appeal.

And then there’s the music—a heartbeat that holds the soul of the film together. Composer Dan Romer was entrusted with a monumental task: to maintain the Elvis-infused charm of the original while weaving in authentic Hawaiian textures. The result is a soundtrack that feels both reverent and revitalized. Bruno Mars produced a stunning new version of “Burning Love,” performed by his nephews, Nyjah Music and Zyah Rhythm, injecting youthful energy into the timeless ballad. Meanwhile, the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Lynell Bright (mother of screenwriter Chris Bright), returned to deliver a brand-new track, “He Lei Pāpahi No Lilo a me Stitch,” that pulses with cultural pride and emotional weight. Kealoha and Agudong’s duet of “Aloha ʻOe” is perhaps the film’s most poignant musical moment—evocative of loss, healing, and connection. The new “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride,” released just a week prior and performed live on American Idol, brought the crowd at the premiere to tears and cheers alike. Music isn’t just a backdrop in Lilo & Stitch; it’s a character, a language of emotion that speaks across cultures and generations.

What was once envisioned as a direct-to-streaming release now stands tall as one of Disney’s flagship theatrical offerings for 2025—and for good reason. Presale numbers already shattered records, with Fandango reporting Lilo & Stitch as the highest-grossing PG-rated opening in terms of advanced tickets this year. Disney cleverly leaned into fan service with RealD 3D showings scheduled precisely at 6:26 PM (a cheeky nod to Stitch’s experiment number), immersive 4DX screenings, and commemorative ticket packages that blurred the line between cinema and fan convention. Every detail, from the posters to the carpet color to the community engagement, was curated to reflect a singular truth: this isn’t just a film launch. It’s a cultural event wrapped in a commercial juggernaut, yes—but also in genuine passion.

As the premiere wrapped and the final notes of the film’s soundtrack lingered in the air, attendees were left with more than just the glow of a great night out. They were reminded that stories, especially those that dive deep into identity, belonging, and love, don’t age—they evolve. Lilo & Stitch has always been about the small, often messy bonds that hold us together. Whether it’s a child and a dog-like alien forming a makeshift family, or an audience of strangers laughing and crying in unison, the message remains the same: ʻohana means nobody gets left behind—or forgotten. And on this unforgettable night in Hollywood, that spirit didn’t just echo from the screen. It danced in the streets.

You can discover the official red carpet interviews just below :

itw Dean Fleischer Camp 

itw Zach Galifianakis 

itw Billy Magnussen

itw Chris Kekaniokalani Bright 

itw Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Lynell Bright

itw Chris Sanders 

itw Courtney B Vance 

itw Dan Romer 

itw Iam Tongi 

itw Jonathan Eirich 

itw Kaipo Dudoit 

itw Maia Kealoha

itw Mike Van Waes 

itw Nyjah Music and Zyah Rhythm 

itw Ryan Halprin 

itw Sydney Elizabeth Agudong 

itw Tom Peitzman 

itw Amy Hill 

you can also discover the official photos in our Flickr page

Synosis : 
The touching and funny story of a lonely little Hawaiian girl and a fugitive alien who helps her reconnect with her family.

Lilo & Stitch
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp
Screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Mike Van Waes
Based on Lilo & Stitch (2002) by Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois 
Produced by Jonathan Eirich, Dan Lin
Starring  Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, Maia Kealoha
Cinematography : Nigel Bluck
Edited by Adam Gerstel, Phillip J. Bartell
Music by Dan Romer
Production companies : Walt Disney Pictures, Rideback
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release dates : May 17, 2025 (El Capitan Theatre), May 21, 2025 (France),M ay 23, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 108 minutes

Photos : Copyright Walt Disney Pictures