Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake Scores 74% on Rotten Tomatoes—Is It Worth Watching?

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The review restrictions for the film “Lilo & Stitch” have been lifted, allowing critics to share their thoughts on Disney’s highly anticipated reimagining of the 2002 original. Unfortunately, this new adaptation has received a Tomatometer score of 74% based on 47 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. While this is better than the 39% score for “Snow White” starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, it’s unclear if it’s high enough to place “Lilo & Stitch” among Disney’s top live-action remakes. You can find out where director Dean Fleischer Camp’s film stands in the rankings below:

Disney’s Top 10 Live-Action Remakes Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes Scores

  1. The Jungle Book (94%)
  2. Pete’s Dragon (88%)
  3. Cinderella (84%)
  4. Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book (80%)
  5. Cruella (75%)
  6. Lilo & Stitch (74%)
  7. Christopher Robin (73%)
  8. Mulan (71%)
  9. Beauty and the Beast (71%)
  10. The Little Mermaid (67%)

In a nutshell, the movie “Lilo & Stitch” by Chris Sanders and Maia Kealoha has a Rotten Tomatoes score that is strong enough to potentially make it into the Top 10, but it falls short of matching the original film’s exceptional rating of 86%. The reason for this may be due to the fact that not all critics are entirely fond of this new adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch.” Here’s a less-than-positive review from MovieWeb:

[Review Text]

The live-action version of Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” excels in creating adorable moments, however, it falters in other aspects. The acting from the supporting cast, script, and notably, the visual effects, are not up to par for a major film release. For instance, the character of Stitch remains a troublemaking imp, but his interactions with the cast appear unrealistic. Fortunately, newcomer Maia Kealoha shines in her first big-screen appearance.

In the meantime, as per Kate Erbland’s critique, she attributed the issues with the latest adaptation of Lilo & Stitch to its live-action component. This was expressed in her C+ rating on IndieWire’s review.

The core essence of the tale stays undisturbed, yet the transition from animated to real-life presentation seems to strip away some of its enchanting qualities. Immersion becomes more challenging, and it’s less effortless to get lost within its depths.

Is the New ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Worth Watching in Theaters?

Initially, the response to Lilo & Stitch was much more positive than its 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes might suggest. Fortunately, many critics are praising the heartwarming “Ohana” of the remake, making it worthwhile to catch Disney’s latest live-action adaptation in theaters. In IGN’s 8/10 review by Eric Goldman, he commends the film.

As a cinephile, I must confess that some Disney reboots fail to capture the heartfelt essence of their originals, merely echoing them without the authentic emotional resonance. However, Lilo & Stitch stands out as an exception to this rule; not only does it preserve, but it also amplifies the most moving elements of the cherished animated classic.

Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter added:

Adults might find a bit of visual clutter too much, but even though [Stitch] is adorable, he’s not quite as endearing as E.T.. Young audiences are likely to love it, and those who grew up with the original film will enjoy all the nods that are included.

How about trying out the 3D version of “Lilo & Stitch”? On Thursday, May 22nd, some early screenings are giving viewers a chance to watch Disney’s latest live-action remake in 3D. According to Maureen Lee Lenker from Entertainment Weekly, it might be worth spending a bit more for the enhanced cinematic experience. In her review for EW, she stated that it’s definitely worth the additional cost.

Instead of just being sketched with a pen and ink, Stitch now appears instantly cuddly at first glance. In fact, it’s hard not to feel sympathetic towards Disney for the multitude of plush Stitch toys they’re likely to make a fortune from selling.

On May 23rd, the movie “Lilo & Stitch” will premiere in theaters. Even though Rotten Tomatoes rates it average, the film’s box office prediction indicates that the remake could potentially earn approximately $120 million domestically during the four-day Memorial Day weekend. With its reappearance in cinemas, the character Experiment 626 is expected to garner significant income internationally as well, leading to a worldwide debut of over $200 million for the new “Lilo & Stitch,” despite facing competition from another major premiere that weekend, “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.

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2025-05-20 22:38