How to Watch the Lilo and Stitch Movies in Order

As someone who has grown up with the enchanting tale of Lilo and Stitch, it brings me immense joy to see this beloved story being brought to life once more, albeit in a different format. Having watched these characters evolve over the years, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I reflect on their journey through my own life.

In June 2002, when Lilo and Stitch premiered in cinemas, few could have anticipated its transformation into a smashing Disney animation success. Following a prosperous era in the ’90s referred to as the Disney Renaissance with productions like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King, the animation studio faced some difficulties in the early 2000s. They experienced setbacks with notable flops such as The Emperor’s New Groove, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and Lilo and Stitch’s subsequent film, Treasure Planet, would go down as one of the biggest financial disasters in the studio’s history.

As a fan, I found it surprising when I first heard about Stitch, a unique creation by Chris Sanders, seemingly unrelated to any well-known fairy tale or story, especially in the context of a Disney animated film. However, the tale of an alien engineered for destruction landing on Earth and bonding with a family in Hawaii resonated with audiences. This tiny movie not only gave life to one of Disney’s most merchandisable characters but also kick-started a vast, interconnected multimedia franchise, complete with sequels and TV shows.

It’s been more than two decades since the original release of “Lilo & Stitch” in cinemas, and the series has expanded across numerous regions worldwide. Keeping up can be quite a challenge! With a live-action adaptation of “Lilo and Stitch,” directed by the creator of “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in June 2025, it could be an excellent opportunity to revisit the original film and the entire franchise. A timeless lesson that many grew up with: “Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” Here’s a list of the “Lilo & Stitch” series in order of their release; if you’d like to watch every “Lilo & Stitch” title chronologically, check out the bottom.

Lilo and Stitch Franchise In Chronological Order

Lilo and Stitch

In the initial movie of the series, titled “Lilo and Stitch“, we’re introduced to the main characters. These include an alien experiment identified as 626, more famously known as Stitch, and a young girl named Lilo. Following the unfortunate demise of their parents in a car accident, Lilo is cared for by her elder sister Nani. Pursuing Stitch are his inventor, Jumba, and an expert on Earth, Pleakley. Other notable characters include the antagonist Gantu and the representative from Child Protection Services, Cobra Bubbles.

20 years since its debut, the animated film “Lilo and Stitch” continues to stand as a remarkable milestone, a significant leap forward in representation, and an emotionally touching tale about the power of family unity. One distinctive aspect added to the storyline in “Lilo and Stitch” that would go on to be a defining characteristic of the series is the song “Aloha ‘Oe.” This melodious tune is a traditional Hawaiian folk song penned in 1878 by Liliʻuokalani, who was then the Princess of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

In Hawaii, a particular symbol is widely recognized and has been featured in numerous works of art throughout history. Within the movie “Lilo and Stitch,” this symbol holds significant weight, being sung at a poignant moment when Nani sings it to her sister Lilo, as she fears social workers will take Lilo away. This song serves as a comforting promise that they’ll reunite someday, weaving an emotional thread throughout the entire franchise.

Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch Has A Glitch

People who spent their childhood in the ’90s and early 2000s are likely to recall a flood of direct-to-video sequels following Disney movies. One unexpected example is “Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch,” which hit screens in 2005, leaving many young viewers puzzled due to its release after another direct-to-video movie and a widely broadcast animated series. However, the absence of other experiments clearly places “Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch” as a sequel to the original film, preceding major future events. The film also distinguishes itself from previous installments by having Dakota Fanning voice Lilo instead of Daveigh Chase.

The movie delves into a glitch within Stitch that has worsened since he was incompletely made before his inventor, Jumba, was apprehended, posing a threat to his life. The film challenges the emotional bond between Lilo and Stitch as Stitch nearly meets his end, but it’s Lilo’s affection for him that ultimately rescues him. Additionally, “Aloha ‘Oe” is featured in the movie, underscoring that no matter what transpires, this unconventional family will stay united.

Stitch! The Movie

The preview for the movie titled “Stitch!” raises an intriguing query: since Stitch is experiment 626, what about the other 625 experiments? Released on video in 2003, around a year after the first film premiered in theaters, this movie (which comes chronologically after the direct-to-video sequel mentioned earlier) essentially serves as a lengthy introduction to the upcoming “Lilo and Stitch: The Series.

“Stitch! The Movie” sets the foundation for the following series by revealing that all of Jumba’s other experiments have been released onto the island. Lilo and Stitch are tasked with locating these creatures, curbing their malevolent inclinations, and finding the right places for them to belong. Simultaneously, the antagonist from the first film, Gantu, collaborates with Jumba’s former partner, Hämsterviel, in an attempt to seize all the experiments for nefarious purposes. The movie also introduces a couple of Stitch’s relatives, who will be referred to as his cousins. First among them is Experiment 625, possessing all of Stitch’s abilities but deemed a failure due to its desire to create sandwiches (later named Reuben), and Experiment 221, an electrical experiment known as Sparky.

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Lilo and Stitch: The Series

In this animated series titled “Lilo & Stitch: The Series,” our beloved characters, Lilo and Stitch, embark on an adventure to discover various experiments and assist them in finding their rightful homes. This vibrant series brings a multitude of quirky experiments with unique talents, enriching the franchise’s universe. Among the most cherished is Experiment 624, also known as Angel, who can corrupt other experiments by singing a particular song, eventually forming a romantic bond with Stitch. The show debuted mere weeks after the release of “Stitch! The Movie” and ran from 2003 to 2006, spanning 65 episodes. Just like in the franchise’s first two films, the classic tune “Aloha ‘Oe” plays a vital role, serving as Lilo’s comfort song during scary moments and helping Stitch overcome his own fears.

One captivating aspect of the animated series “Lilo & Stitch: The Series” is its ability to broaden the universe in unforeseen directions. Throughout the show’s run, it had four different crossovers with other Disney animated productions like “Kim Possible“, “The Proud Family“, “American Dragon: Jake Long“, and “Recess“. These episodes were inspired by the four brief trailers for “Lilo & Stitch“, which depicted Stitch intruding into scenes from various Disney Renaissance films. This essentially ties all these series, along with their spin-offs and additional stories, together in a single, interconnected universe. Consequently, this franchise not only includes aliens but also spies, magical beings, and a myriad of other fascinating elements, opening up a vast landscape of possibilities.

Leroy and Stitch

As a cinephile, I’d say that my beloved “Lilo & Stitch: The Series” is framed by two fantastic films – the opening act being “Stitch! The Movie,” which served as a clever prelude to the series itself, and the grand finale being the enchanting “Leroy & Stitch” from 2006.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but emphasize the poignant role “Aloha Oe” plays in the climactic scenes of the movie, Leroy and Stitch. In a heartwarming twist, Lilo gifted Jumba a record featuring Elvis Presley’s rendition of this song, which he used to create Leroy, ensuring the experiment’s success. In a touching display of unity, Lilo, Stitch, Reuben, and numerous other experiments joined forces to sing “Aloha Oe,” effectively shutting down the array of Leroys, thereby securing their triumph. Initially introduced as an emotionally charged moment in the series, this song now serves as a symbol of heroic victory. To add, Leroy and Stitch concludes the initial phase of the beloved Lilo and Stitch franchise, with Lilo as the central human character and the storyline unfolding in the enchanting backdrop of Hawaii. Interestingly, within a short span of time, Stitch’s popularity skyrocketed at Disney, leading to him receiving his very own spin-off series, set in diverse locations around the world.

Stitch & Ai

The third television series in the Lilo and Stitch franchise, and the most recent, is Stitch & Ai. A short-lived series, with only 13 episodes, the English-language-produced Donghua takes place in 2016, after the events of Leroy & Stitch. The series is a Chinese-animated spin-off that sees Stitch become the pet of a young Chinese girl named Wang Ai Ling in a similar setup to the original Lilo and Stitch. It also moves the franchise’s conflict away from other experiments and into other alien factions, as Stitch must now fight the Jaboodies and the Woolagongs alien factions, who want to transform him into a weapon of mass destruction.

In a similar vein as the original story highlights Hawaiian culture, Stitch & Ai shines a light on Chinese culture and folklore. I, Ai, reside in the mountains and wish to remain there following the loss of my parents. Yet, my aunt Daiyu persistently pursues me to bring me into the city, where she hopes to mold me into a “proper lady,” much like her ambitions for her sister Jiejie. This tale presents a relatable portrayal of rural life in contemporary China. Additionally, Stitch is on a quest to find a spiritual shrine that appears in his visions. The narrative encompasses tales of ancient scrolls, dragons, mythical creatures such as the xiezhi or the nian, a legendary friendship bridge, a Lunar New Year celebration, and more.

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Stitch!

Stitch! represents the second animated series in the franchise, serving as the first spin-off. Instead of staying in Hawaii, it transports the story to Japan and aired from 2008 to 2010, with two anime films released – one in 2011 and another in 2012. The series introduces Stitch alongside a young character named Yuna, while also bringing back characters like Jumba and Pleakley from the past. Although Leroy & Stitch offered them heroic conclusions, Gantu and Experiment 625 reprise their villainous roles in this series.

In simpler terms, both “Stitch!” and “Stitch & Ai” could represent separate storylines that unfold after Leroy and Stitch. The existence of an adult Lilo who has a daughter around the same age as when she first met Stitch implies that “Stitch!” occurs sometime later than “Stitch & Ai”. This is based on the series, where it’s shown that Stitch and Lilo parted ways after Lilo went to college. Their planned reunion on the beach was delayed because Nani was giving birth at the time. Initially, Stitch thought Lilo had forgotten him, but they eventually have a heartwarming reunion in the end.

If “Stitch!” is the most recent installment in the tale of “Lilo & Stitch,” encompassing all the stories so far, it provides a charming conclusion. Just as the song “Aloha ‘Oe” from the initial film suggests poetically, the series underscores that despite being separated, Lilo and Stitch share an unbreakable familial bond that will inevitably draw them back together. As they venture into fresh experiences in their lives, it’s just a matter of time before they reunite once more.

Lilo & Stitch (Upcoming Live-Action Remake)

In October 2018, it was revealed that Walt Disney Pictures planned to make a live-action version of the popular 2002 animated film. Dean Fleischer Camp (known for “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”) was chosen as the director, and Chris Kekaniokalani Bright rewrote the script. Chris Sanders, who voiced the lovable alien outcast Stitch in the series, will return to his role and will work alongside newcomer Maia Kealoha, portraying Lilo. Sydney Agudong is set to play Lilo’s older sister Nani, while Kaipo Dudoit has replaced Kahiau Machado as David Kawena due to the latter’s previous use of a racial slur.

In the eagerly awaited adaptation, a large number of newcomers from Hollywood are set to make up the main cast, yet some well-known actors will also join the lineup. These include Zach Galifianakis (Dr. Jumba Jookiba), Billy Magnussen (Agent Pleakley), Courtney B. Vance (Cobra Bubbles), and Tia Carrere, who previously lent her voice to Nani in the franchise and will now play Mrs. Kekoa, a social worker.

The remake of “Lilo & Stitch” has sparked some debate, particularly regarding the choice to cast Agudong as Nani. Critics claim Disney is guilty of ‘whitewashing’ since the actor is fairer-skinned than the original animated character. However, this controversy aside, viewers are eager to see how director Dean Fleischer Camp will breathe life into the duo. The wait ends in May 2025, as the film will premiere exclusively on Disney+.

Lilo and Stitch Series In Release Order

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2024-10-12 02:37