IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE!

On Kaua’i, Hawaii, young Lilo takes care of an animal that she finds in a shelter; what she doesn’t know is that ”Stitch”, as she calls him, is actually an aggressive alien.

At a time when computer-animated films were all the rage, it was easy to underestimate this hand-drawn Disney flick, but it ended up charming a whole world. The style is simple but effective, making us care about both Lilo and Stitch, even though the latter was built in outer space to destroy anything he puts his claws on.

A lot of laughs in this Hawaiian adventure, engagingly accompanied by Elvis Presley songs.

2002-U.S. Animated. 85 min. Color. Written and directed by Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois. Music: Alan Silvestri. Voices of Daveigh Chase (Lilo Pelekai), Chris Sanders (Stitch/Experiment 626), Tia Carrere (Nani Pelekai), Jason Scott Lee, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin McDonald, Ving Rhames. 

Trivia: Ricardo Montalban was considered for a role. Followed by two direct-to-video sequels, starting with Stitch! The Movie (2003), and three TV series, Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003-2006), Stitch! (2008-2011) and Stitch & Ai (2017). Remade as a live-action feature, Lilo & Stitch (2025). 

Last word: “We talk about it with such clear memories and with such fondness because the entire experience of making that movie was [one of] working with a small crew that were really excited and passionate about what they’re doing. But we would also hang out on the weekends, go kayaking, go down to the Florida Keys, and we’d go to the beaches and just travel around… The whole thing was like a big adventure… but it was mostly just fun and freedom. That found its way into the movie.” (DeBlois, Cartoon Brew)