By Rebecca Sargeant
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As is the latest Disney film to get a live-action adaptation, it’s worth revisiting all the franchise’s movies and TV shows from over the years. is only possible because of the success and popularity of the original movie from 2002, which establishes the two titular characters as absolute Disney staples. Since its release, the Lilo & Stitch universe has expanded into multiple spin-off TV shows, animated shorts, feature-length films, and video games.
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is making audiences nostalgic. Lilo’s incredible friendship with alien experiment Stitch is heartwarming and teaches children that appearances aren’t always what they seem. Stitch’s wacky escapades are still keeping kids and adults alike entertained, but some of his adventures are better than others.
9 Stitch Meets High School Musical (2007)
Stitch & Co Have A Dance Party
Stitch Meets High School Musical is a fantastic little animated short that is featured on the High School Musical 2 DVD, which sees Stitch and his fellow aliens recreate some great numbers from the musical movie. The likes of Stitch, Angel, Jumba, Sparky, and Wendy perfectly follow the choreography to “We’re All in this Together” as well as offering their own comedic take on the “Getcha Head in the Game” routine.
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This short is just over two minutes long, but it doesn’t contribute anything to the Lilo & Stitch lore or stories, however. While it is a fun and cute watch, there is nothing new to learn about Stitch or his backstory. It also, unfortunately, doesn’t include any of the human characters like Lilo or Nani, either. Stitch Meets High School Musical is a good link to the High School Musical movies, but it doesn’t add anything to the Lilo & Stitch franchise as a whole.
8 Stitch & Ai (2017)
A Somewhat Recycled Lilo & Stitch Story
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Stitch & Ai only consists of one season, which follows Stitch escaping aliens once again and making a bolt back to Earth, where he meets a young girl named Wang Ai Ling in the Huangshan mountains. While Stitch & Ai does reintroduce some of Lilo & Stitch ’s most notable alien characters, the show sadly focuses too much on its newer experiments rather than expanding and developing the ones it already has.
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Ai and Jeijie’s relationship is a parallel of Lilo and Nani, one of the best sister duos in movie history. While it is sweet to see another sibling pairing looking after each other in the wake of their parents' deaths, it’s a tad disappointing that Stitch & Ai couldn’t diversify its character dynamics a bit more. The animation style is also often criticized by viewers, and despite airing 15 years after the original film, 2002’s Lilo & Stitch is superior visually. However, with only 13 episodes, it’s possible Stitch & Ai just didn’t have enough time to find its feet.
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7 Stitch! (2008-2011, 2012, 2015)
Stitch's Life Without Lilo
Stitch! is the longest-running Lilo & Stitch TV show, and it kicks off in the years after Leroy & Stitch. With Lilo off at college, Stitch meets another young girl, Yuna, on an island in the Ryukyus. Stitch!’s 3-season run and series of specials are a feel-good watch, but despite the show’s several installments over the years, it isn’t as appealing as other titles in the Lilo & Stitch world.
The absence of Lilo is immediately obvious, and while Yuna is an engaging enough character, she simply isn’t the same as Stitch’s first human best friend. While Stitch! has been broadcast in the US and Canada, it was also unexpectedly removed from Disney XD in North America during its run, so many viewers aren’t as familiar with it.
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Stitch! sees the titular character causing his trademark chaos as usual, but this doesn’t make up for the fact that the show rehashes the original film’s plot and that of “ohana” is ignored, with Lilo leaving Stitch behind.
6 Leroy & Stitch (2006)
Stitch Meets His Red Twin
While Leroy & Stitch isn’t as heartwarming and engaging as Lilo & Stitch, the last feature-length film of the franchise is still a decent watch. The 2006 movie follows Stitch after he is honored by the Galactic Alliance, leaves Earth, and is assigned to capture the titular Leroy, an experiment that is identical to Stitch, except red.
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Leroy isn’t exactly the most notable of evil Disney villains, but Leroy & Stitch’s design of the character is quite inventive. For example, Leroy and his clones’ nervous systems shut down when they hear the Hawaiian folk song “Aloha ‘Oe.” Despite its mixed reviews, Leroy & Stitch has plenty of good qualities. The film's strengths are in its pacing and action scenes, music from the likes of Elvis Presley, and comical moments.
It also serves as the finale to Lilo & Stitch: The Series, but it also works well enough by itself and can be enjoyed by those who haven’t seen the show. There is room for improvement in some areas, like the titular character’s relationship. Leroy is technically Stitch’s twin, but they don’t get a happy ending, which feels like a missed opportunity for a franchise that focuses on sibling bonds.
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5 Stitch! The Movie (2003)
Lilo & Stitch Reveals More About The Experiments
Stitch! The Movie is the second installment in the Lilo & Stitch franchise, but it’s technically the third chronologically, as it is set after the events of Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch. The direct-to-video film is also the backdoor pilot of Lilo & Stitch: The Series. Stitch! The Movie properly introduces audiences to Jumba’s 625 experiments, which expands the Lilo & Stitch universe brilliantly and provides more context on how they came to be.
Stitch! The Movie properly introduces audiences to Jumba’s 625 experiments, which expands the Lilo & Stitch universe brilliantly and provides more context on how they came to be.
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However, the film fails to use the experiments to its advantage, and there’s a real lack of on-screen appearances from them. Dr. Jacques von Hämsterviel is a classic villain hell-bent on world domination, and while this isn’t a bad thing for a follow-up to one of the best Disney movies of all time, he is a bit one-dimensional.
One alien that does get significant attention, however, is Sparky. Sparky shares just enough similarities with Stitch that he is intriguing, but he is also different enough that it doesn’t feel like a bad copy, either. Stitch! The Movie is solid enough, but realistically, it would’ve made more sense to make it the first episode of Lilo & Stitch: The Series instead.
4 The Origin Of Stitch (2005)
Audiences Learn More About Stitch's Creation
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The Origin of Stitch
PG
Animation
Comedy
The Origin of Stitch, released in 2005, follows Stitch as he discovers Jumba's secret computer, revealing the origins of his creation and hinting at other experiments. As Stitch confronts his fears about being a monster, Jumba's insights into love and friendship provide him with reassurance.
- Director
- Tony Bancroft
- Release Date
- August 30, 2005
- Cast
- Chris Sanders , Tress MacNeille , David Ogden Stiers
- Runtime
- 4 minutes
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The Origin of Stitch is only four and a half minutes long, and it is technically a bridge between Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch and Stitch! The Movie, but it’s still a fantastic entry in the Lilo & Stitch universe. Stitch discovers more about his heritage and past when he gains access to Jumba’s computer, which is incredibly wholesome to watch.
There is a theory that Stitch is actually a cyborg, but The Origin of Stitch establishes that this doesn’t matter, as Jumba reassures Stitch that he has overcome his programming by finding love and family with Lilo. The Origin of Stitch, while brief, manages to find the time to squeeze in references to the hundreds of Lilo & Stitch experiments.
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Several designs of the various aliens pop up throughout, which makes Jumba’s words to Stitch about his creation that much more interesting. The few minutes of footage add a lot to the world and characters of Lilo & Stitch, so much so that Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch was nominated for a DVDX Award for Best New Movies Scenes, and many have voiced that these scenes should’ve been a part of the original cut.
3 Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has A Glitch (2005)
An Enjoyable Look At Lilo & Stitch's Home Life
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8/10
PG
Animation
Comedy
Drama
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch follows the continued adventures of Lilo and her extraterrestrial friend Stitch. Directed by Michael LaBash and Tony Leondis, the film explores the technical malfunction that threatens Stitch’s existence while Lilo prepares for a hula contest. Voiced by original cast members, the movie delves into themes of friendship, family, and overcoming obstacles.
- Director
- Michael LaBash , Tony Leondis
- Release Date
- August 30, 2005
- Cast
- Chris Sanders , Dakota Fanning , Tia Carrere , David Ogden Stiers , Kevin McDonald , Kunewa Mook , Jason Scott Lee , William J. Caparella
- Writers
- Tony Leondis , Michael LaBash , Eddie Guzelian
- Main Genre
- Animation
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch is a great straight-to-video Disney sequel, which takes place after the first film but before Stitch! The Movie in the Lilo & Stitch timeline. The movie delves further into Stitch’s genetic manufacturing, with the narrative focusing on his abrupt glitching, which causes the alien to lash out at his family and friends.
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Stitch Has a Glitch takes some of Lilo & Stitch ’s best elements and applies them to a story that is refreshing and new yet also provides a sense of familiarity to viewers. The sisterly dynamic is prominent throughout, further proving that Nani and Lilo are two of the best Disney siblings. The depiction of Hawaiian culture, especially hula dancing, is also strong.
While factors like characterization are quite over-the-top at times, it works for a feel-good kids’ film. Even though this title focuses more on the alien side of things, it still ensures that it establishes a slice-of-life atmosphere as well, which is why the first movie is so easy to connect with. Stitch Has a Glitch has plenty of humor and stupidity, too, which fits perfectly for a Lilo & Stitch story.
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2 Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003-2006)
Stitch's Personality Is Developed & Angel Is Introduced
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TV-Y7
Animation
Adventure
Comedy
Family
Sci-Fi
Lilo & Stitch: The Series is an animated adventure-comedy series that follows the adventures of young Lilo and her alien best friend, Stitch, The duo attempts to capture and rehabilitate Stitch's 625 alien experiment cousins before higher intergalactic powers act first.
- Cast
- Daveigh Chase , Chris Sanders , Tia Carrere , David Ogden Stiers , Kevin McDonald , Ving Rhames
- Release Date
- September 20, 2003
- Seasons
- 2
- Writers
- Chris Sanders
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Creator(s)
- Chris Sanders
Lilo & Stitch: The Series is the first and most popular of the Lilo & Stitch TV shows, which begins after the events of Stitch! The Movie. Across Lilo & Stitch: The Series’ three seasons and TV finale film, audiences follow the titular characters’ attempts to collect the remaining loose experiments and help them find a place in the world. , a pink alien that resembles Stitch.
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Disney's live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch has cast mostly newcomers as the movie's human characters with known comedic actors filling other roles.
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The fact that Angel is his “Boojiboo,” a term of endearment that represents a profound and deep bond, highlights Stitch’s character development. Stitch’s interactions with Angel show just how much he has changed and adapted to the world since the first film, so it makes sense that Experiment 624 is now such a fan-favorite.
IMDB's Highest Rated Episodes of Lilo & Stitch | ||
Episode Number | Title | IMDB Score |
S2.E19 | Rufus | 8.2 |
S2.E23 | Mrs. Hasagawa's Cats | 8.2 |
S1.E15 | Tank: Experiment 586 | 8.1 |
It’s unknown whether Angel will play a part in or not, although audiences hope she will make an appearance somehow. Lilo & Stitch: The Series takes the 2002 movie’s premise and develops it further, demonstrates Lilo’s love for all kinds of creatures, and continues to push the message that families come in all sorts of forms.
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1 Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Stitch's First Adventure
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9.4/10
PG
Comedy
Animation
In Hawaii, Lilo, a young parentless girl being raised by her older sister, adopts a "dog" from the local shelter. Naming him Stitch, Lilo is unaware that the creature is actually an alien experiment, and he soon starts wreaking havoc at home and across the island.
- Director
- Chris Sanders , Dean DeBlois
- Release Date
- June 21, 2002
- Cast
- Chris Sanders , Daveigh Chase , Tia Carrere , Ving Rhames , David Ogden Stiers , Kevin McDonald , Jason Scott Lee , Kevin Michael Richardson
- Runtime
- 85 minutes
- Studio(s)
- Disney
- Distributor(s)
- Disney
- Writers
- Chris Sanders , Dean DeBlois
Of course, nothing beats the original Lilo & Stitch. The 2002 film not only introduces the titular characters to audiences but also establishes the heartwarming message that at the end of a hard day, with family is where you want to be. While Disney has portrayed family dynamics without parents before, Lilo & Stitch tackles it uniquely.
The film provides some great representation of Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures, a crucial factor that makes Lilo & Stitch stand out.
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; she doesn’t hesitate to show that she is struggling to raise Lilo by herself, which is realistic and relatable, but she also never makes her younger sister feel like a burden or inconvenience. Lilo & Stitch is full of laughs and emotional moments. For example, demonstrates that the death of her parents weighs heavily on Lilo’s mind when she thinks that her fish controls the weather, which is both adorable and heartbreaking.
The film provides some great representation of Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures, a crucial factor that makes Lilo & Stitch stand out. Lilo & Stitch launched the franchise into several other films, TV shows, and even video games, and while the adjacent projects have their strengths, the original movie will forever be the best.
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