Live Action Lilo and Stich: Thoughts Before Watching

The talk around Disney’s live-action Lilo and Stitch remake has been everywhere lately. It has sparked a lot of familiar debates, especially for those of us who feel connected to the cultures these stories are supposed to represent. This conversation hits close to home for me, since it lines up with my own research on how first-generation Latinas engage with Disney’s Encanto and how these stories stick with us long after we leave the theater.

In my dissertation, I dive into how people use platforms like TikTok to engage with stories and push back on them too. I’ve spent a lot of time reading thousands of TikTok comments, and it is so clear to me that people don’t just watch these movies passively. They bring their own experiences to the conversation, using TikTok to share, question, and make sense of what they’re seeing.

The same kind of thing is happening with Lilo and Stitch. Fans and critics are using social media to talk about what this remake gets right or wrong and why casting and real representation matter so much. Now, I haven’t watched it yet mainly because I find myself agreeing with a lot of the criticism about the casting choices and how the story is being told. I was especially upset about how they cast the ice cream tourist. That detail just felt so off and not true to what the original story was all about.

These conversations remind me of something I see a lot in my research: audiences are not waiting around for Disney or any big company to get it right. They are using every tool they have to call out what does not work and to highlight what matters. They want representation that feels honest and thoughtful, not just something that checks a box.

Disney’s live-action movies can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they bring old stories to new audiences. On the other, they can flatten cultures and turn something meaningful into a product. What I have learned from my research is that people can see right through that. They know when a story feels real and when it feels like a quick cash grab.

As this conversation about Lilo and Stitch keeps going, I am watching to see how Disney reacts and how fans keep using digital spaces to share their thoughts. For me, it is not just about this one remake. It is about how we all help shape the stories we care about and make sure everyone’s voice has a place at the table.