- 6/1/2025
Aloha! Dive deep into the hidden gems and fascinating details of Disney's beloved Hawaiian adventure. From early concept changes to cultural references, discover how this story of family and belonging evolved from its original space-chase concept to the heartwarming tale we know today. Ohana means finding all the secrets!
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00:00Hey everyone, I'm Rebecca and welcome to WatchMojo.
00:05Today we're diving into all things Lilo and Stitch.
00:08It's a heartwarming story about family, told with typical Disney flair and including aliens.
00:13Whether you're a fan of the 2002 animated classic or you've jumped on the bandwagon for the 2025 live-action remake, we've got you covered.
00:21These videos are actually from our sister channel, Ms. Mojo, and if you love all things animated and Disney, be sure to check them out.
00:29Let's start by digging into the differences between Lilo and Stitch 2002 and 2025.
00:39Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're looking at differences between the original Lilo and Stitch and its 2025 live-action remake.
00:47Spoilers for both.
00:48You sure that's a dog?
00:54Rough.
00:59In the original, Dr. Jumba Jukiba said he'd never make more than one genetic experiment.
01:16That turned out to be a lie.
01:18As we'd see later through various Lilo and Stitch spin-offs, Jumba made hundreds of experiments, Stitch being 626.
01:25While the first film doesn't get into Jumba's other creations, the remake hints that Stitch is only the tip of his ambitions.
01:32Place that idiot scientist under arrest!
01:35I prefer to be called Evangelion!
01:39Feeling that Earth has turned Stitch soft, Jumba plans on upgrading him to Experiment 627.
01:45Introduced in Lilo and Stitch the series, 627 resembles his predecessor, but with a cone head, red exterior, and more destructive powers.
01:54As all strengths of 626, none of weaknesses does not sink in water, available in tasteful earth-toned colors, and absolutely positively cannot be turned to good.
02:07Where most of Jumba's experiments can be redeemed, 627 is the embodiment of evil.
02:12Yet he's not to be confused with Experiment 629, aka Leroy, Stitch's evil twin.
02:18Number 9. Portal Guns
02:21The Lilo and Stitch franchise has always been heavy on alien technology and weapons, most notably the Plasma Blaster.
02:27The remake introduces another nifty gadget, the Portal Gun.
02:31In addition to paving the way for an Ice Cream Man cameo, the Portal device plays a key role during the climax.
02:37It also guarantees that Lilo and Nani will never be too far apart, even when the latter goes to college.
02:51Of course, the Portal Gun does raise a few questions.
02:54Namely, why don't Jumba and Pleakley just make a portal into the Pelikai household at night and snatch Stitch while he's sleeping?
03:01There's no instruments, there's nothing here!
03:04And are you enjoying the hotel?
03:06Oh, I'm so glad you asked.
03:07I'm obviously being sarcastic.
03:09Go!
03:10Hey!
03:11Systems go.
03:12Engage.
03:13For that matter, why travel to Earth on a spaceship when you have Portal technology?
03:17In any case, we get some funny sight gags.
03:20Number 8. More Close Calls
03:23The remake raises the stakes with two near-death experiences.
03:27What happened?
03:28Some Lolo must have stuffed us in the barrel.
03:32Where's Stitch?
03:35Get off of there!
03:38What happened?
03:39Stitch dragged her down!
03:41Like in the first film, the titular characters have a surfing accident when Jumba and Pleakley try to capture Stitch.
03:47This time though, Lilo is rushed to the hospital.
03:50Lilo quickly rebounds, but Nani is left to contemplate whether she's truly capable of raising her sister.
03:56I know you're trying, Nani, but you need to think about what's best for Lilo.
04:02Even if it removes you from the picture.
04:06Stitch also has a close call during the climax when he nearly drowns.
04:10Although Stitch is practically indestructible, water is his greatest weakness.
04:14Unable to float, he sinks to the bottom of the sea like a rock.
04:18He's unconscious, but I think he's alive.
04:20Stitch is willing to sacrifice himself to save Lilo, but Nani comes to his rescue.
04:32It's a nice addition that displays Stitch's physical limits and emphasizes that no family member gets left behind.
04:38Okana means family.
04:40Family means nobody gets left behind.
04:42More forgotten, I'm...
04:46Number 7. New Neighbor.
04:48In the animated version, Nani takes care of Lilo on her own with some occasional help from David, her friend slash sorta boyfriend.
04:56Hey, I might not be a doctor, but I know that there's no better cure for a sour face than a couple of boards and some choice waves.
05:05What do you think?
05:06Although David remains essentially unchanged, the remake introduces his grandma, Tutu, played by Amy Hill.
05:13Living near Lilo and Nani, Tutu becomes something of a surrogate grandmother to the sisters, helping out when she can.
05:20What is that?
05:21A dog.
05:22It looks like some kind of baby bear that come out of the trash.
05:26While this character is new to the franchise, Hill is no stranger to Lilo and Stitch.
05:31In the 2002 film and subsequent series, she voiced the local fruit stand operator, Mrs. Hasegawa.
05:37I can't talk now, dear. I'm waiting for someone to answer my ad. That's why I'm here.
05:43Tutu plays into the film's overarching theme of Ohana, showing that family isn't restricted to blood relatives.
05:49It can extend to a neighbor who looks out for you, or an alien you adopt as a dog.
05:54So many of the most unusual stray cats come to live with me here.
05:58But I don't mind. They keep me company.
06:01Number 6. Stitch's Adoption
06:03Stitch's arrival on Earth plays out pretty much the same, although he wreaks havoc at a wedding before getting run over this time.
06:10Thinking his crashing ship is a shooting star, Lilo wishes for a friend, which Nani overhears.
06:16A shooting star!
06:19I wish for a friend, like a best friend.
06:26In the animated feature, this prompts Nani to take Lilo to the animal shelter, where she adopts Stitch.
06:31Nani isn't present in the remake's adoption scene, however.
06:34Instead, it's Tutu who allows Lilo to visit the shelter where she encounters Stitch.
06:39The decision to adopt a dog is more spontaneous, with Nani later learning about Lilo's new pet.
06:45The remake also glances over the bit where Lilo pays $2 for Stitch, which plays a more important role in the original.
06:57Number 5. Disguises
07:15One of the original's funniest running jokes sees Jumba and Agent Pleakley trying to pass themselves off as humans by wearing everyday outfits.
07:23You can't shoot, and you can't be seen!
07:27Look at you!
07:28You look like a monster!
07:30We have to blend in?
07:32Apparently this is enough to make people overlook Jumba's four eyes in Pleakley's cycloptic nature.
07:37In the remake, they instead make copies of human bodies, blending in as Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnuson.
07:43That's one way to keep the visual effects budget under control.
07:46He's not a pet. He's dangerous.
07:49Dangerous too.
07:50While Magnuson in particular has the energy of a cartoon character, we do miss seeing Pleakley in drag.
07:57When asked why Pleakley doesn't wear a dress in his film, director Dean Fleischer-Camp simply said,
08:02I tried, revealing what appears to be unused concept art.
08:06Isn't it weird how 2002 feels more progressive than 2025?
08:10I have had people message me,
08:11Why is Pleakley not wearing a dress?
08:13And I just want to say,
08:14I tried.
08:18I tried.
08:21Cobra Bubbles is an enigma when he arrives in the animated film,
08:24looking more like a secret agent than a social worker.
08:27As it turns out, Cobra used to be with the CIA,
08:30meeting the Grand Councilwoman at Roswell in the 70s.
08:33You look familiar.
08:35CIA, Roswell, 1973.
08:40Ah, yes. You had hair then.
08:43He also saved Earth by convincing the aliens that the planet was a mosquito nature reserve.
08:47The remake keeps most of these elements, but switches them around.
08:51Cobra is still working for the CIA, tracking down Stitch after his ship crashes.
08:56Ancient Cobra Bubbles. We have a blue dog to catch.
08:59The social worker assigned to the sister's case is a new character named Mrs. Kikoa,
09:03played by Nani's original voice actress Tia Carrere.
09:06You play a social worker trying to get Nani back on track.
09:09Yeah, in the first one I'm like,
09:10Please don't take my sister away, social services,
09:12and now I'm the social services lady trying to take her away.
09:15Oh, no!
09:16Cobra later goes undercover as another social worker to infiltrate the Pelikai household,
09:21eventually deciding to help the family.
09:23Number 3. Captain Gontu M.I.A.
09:27The most prominent character missing from the remake is Captain Gontu,
09:31the Grand Councilwoman's right-hand alien.
09:33The mission is in jeopardy.
09:35This could be your chance to redeem yourself, Captain Gontu.
09:40How soon will you be prepared to leave?
09:43Immediately.
09:45When Jumba and Pleakley struggle to bring in Stitch, Gontu is tasked with getting the job done.
09:50Gontu not only fails, but also endangers humans in the process,
09:54resulting in his dismissal from the Galactic Federation.
09:57Grand Councilwoman, let me explain.
09:59Silas!
10:00I am retiring you, Captain Gontu.
10:04This sets Gontu up to become a major antagonist in future stories,
10:08teaming with Jumba's former partner, Dr. Jacques Von Hempsterville,
10:12and Experiment 625, a.k.a. Ruben.
10:15It's unclear why the remake scrapped Captain Gontu,
10:18although we can't help but wonder if it was a budget issue.
10:21The film only cost $100 million dollars,
10:23significantly less than some other Disney remakes.
10:26Maybe they just couldn't afford to have another entirely CGI character.
10:30The council has banished you to exile on a desert asteroid.
10:34So relax, enjoy the trip!
10:41Gontu isn't present, but the remake needed somebody to fill that void in the climax.
10:45This is where Jumba comes in.
10:48His only instinct is to destroy everything he touches!
10:55So it is a monster.
10:57Eh, just a little one.
10:58Aside from lacking a Russian accent,
11:00Jumba has no redemption arc here.
11:02In the original, he engages in combat with his creation,
11:05destroying Lilo and Nani's house.
11:08Look, look, look, look, we're close.
11:10Wait, it's moving.
11:11Come on, come on.
11:12Let's go, we gotta go.
11:13Oh!
11:14Oh, look, it's the Grand Councilwoman!
11:16Don't answer that.
11:17Not now.
11:18When Gontu takes Lilo, though,
11:20Stitch convinces Jumba to help rescue her.
11:22The remake's Jumba isn't so easily persuaded.
11:25He's colder, viewing attachments as a weakness.
11:28After capturing Lilo, Jumba is taken in and escorted back to space.
11:33The OG Jumba receives a much happier fate,
11:35remaining on Earth with Pleakly,
11:37where both become members of Lilo and Nani's family.
11:40We guess the remake also shoots down the theory of Jumba and Pleakly being a couple.
11:44Well, it looks like we have all the rings here today.
11:46The wedding ring, the suffering, and the torture ring.
11:51Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
11:53Oh, what a joyous day.
11:55Number 1.
11:56Nani's Ambitions.
11:58Nani remains a dedicated sister trying her best to be a mother to Lilo.
12:02They were really good parents.
12:05Hey!
12:06I changed my mind.
12:09What's that?
12:11Hmm?
12:12I like you as a mom, too.
12:16Chill.
12:21The remake provides more background details about Nani, however.
12:24In addition to fleshing out her experience as a surfer,
12:27it's revealed that Nani aspires to be a marine biologist.
12:30She even gets into her dream university.
12:33After tragedy strikes, though, Nani makes Lilo her top priority.
12:37At the same time, Nani questions if she's what's best for Lilo.
12:41I like you better as a sister than a mom.
12:45Yeah?
12:46And you like me better as a sister than a rabbit, right?
12:50Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
12:55Yes.
12:57Yes, I do.
12:58She seriously considers letting social services step in,
13:01potentially giving her sister a better life.
13:04In the end, Tutu steps up to help raise Lilo with additional assistance from Cobra, David, and Pleakley.
13:10This allows Nani to attend college, but thanks to the portal gun, commuting has never been easier.
13:16What about Alana?
13:18He hasn't been here that long.
13:20Neither have I.
13:21Dad said Ohana means family.
13:27Huh?
13:28Ohana means family.
13:30Family means nobody gets left behind.
13:32Nobody gets left behind.
13:33Or?
13:34Or forgotten.
13:35What did you think of these changes?
13:37Let us know in the comments.
13:39Sometimes things have to change.
13:43And maybe sometimes they're for the better.
13:46So have you seen both the animated Lilo & Stitch and the live action remake?
13:52What did you think of those changes we mentioned?
13:54If you're a purist who loves the animated version and only the animated version,
13:59let's see if you spotted these 10 things only adults notice in Lilo & Stitch.
14:04Mooda malacruista!
14:11Naughty!
14:12Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
14:13And today, we're counting down our picks for the details, plot points, and other factors that we only stitch together as adults.
14:20You poor man, sister!
14:22Oh!
14:23Leave my mother out of me!
14:26Number 10.
14:27Lilo's Picasso era.
14:29Stitch might not be the biggest appreciator of other people's belongings, or their art.
14:33At least, not when he first moves in.
14:35No!
14:36That's from my blue period!
14:37Blue period!
14:44There!
14:45You know, you wreck everything you touch.
14:48As he tears the painting on Lilo's easel, you may have noticed she calls it part of her blue period.
14:53Now, she might have meant blue as in sad, but the art buffs among us know she's not the first to use that term.
14:59His use of blue as catharsis would last three years.
15:04He would depict a broad range of subjects and themes, all of which were related to despair, loneliness, melancholy, poverty, old age, and, of course, death.
15:17Unless your parents raised you in art galleries, you might have missed the nod to Pablo Picasso,
15:22who also had a blue period marked by a few years of moody blue and blue-green paintings inspired by grief and struggle.
15:29Although, we wonder if Picasso ever went full Godzilla on his creations.
15:43Number 9.
15:44One for the UFO enthusiasts out there.
15:47You can't really have a film about extraterrestrial beings without brushing up against some of the folklore,
15:52mysteries, and myths that come with the territory.
15:54Where will he exit?
15:56Calculating now.
15:57Quadrant 17, Section 005, Area 51.
16:01A planet called ER.
16:04Case in point, the sisters are frequently visited by one very serious man in black.
16:08Turns out he's had prior run-ins with aliens.
16:11He even tells the Grand Councilwoman that this isn't their first meeting.
16:14You look familiar.
16:17CIA.
16:18Roswell.
16:191973.
16:21Ah, yes.
16:22You had hair then.
16:23The Roswell incident refers to a 1947 event in which a rancher near Roswell, New Mexico,
16:29discovered strange debris on his land.
16:32Stuff unlike anything he'd ever seen.
16:34Agent Cobra Bubbles might have popped up in the area years later because that's when Roswell
16:39lore really took off and became a cornerstone of UFO mythology.
16:42The incident sparked a UFO scare and inspired decades of science fiction movies.
16:48Then, 50 years after the incident, the Air Force released a report admitting that the wreckage was part of a secret system of atomic espionage.
16:57But for real believers, this is just another cover-up.
17:02Number 8.
17:03Agent Marcellus Bubbles Wallace.
17:05Cobra Bubbles might seem like he fits right in with the men in black, but he actually shares more with a certain powerful no-nonsense crime lord from LA.
17:12This is Mr. Bubbles.
17:15Nice to meet you.
17:17Your knuckles say cobra.
17:23Cobra Bubbles.
17:24Put them side by side and you'll spot a few similarities, but the voice really gives it away.
17:30Both characters are played by Ving Rhames, and word is his 1994 role helped inspire Bubbles during the early development stages.
17:37You have grasped that, Jules.
17:39All I'm doing is contemplating the ifs.
17:41That said, the similarities pretty much stop there.
17:44One's an intimidating former CIA agent turned social worker, and the other runs a criminal empire.
17:50Still, it's a fun and clever nod to Rhames' range, and how a voice can shape a whole character.
17:55I'm the one they call when things go wrong.
17:59And things have indeed gone wrong.
18:04Number 7.
18:05Lilo turns the tide on tourism.
18:07Travel is a privilege, and often an eye-opening one.
18:10But who hasn't cringed at those tourists who treat locals like part of the scenery?
18:14It's nice to live on an island with no large cities.
18:17It's like barging into someone's home with no regard for how they live or what matters to them.
18:22Lilo definitely had her fill of that type, and she's made turning the tables a bit of a pastime.
18:27Oh, my camera's full again.
18:29Aren't they beautiful?
18:31In a deleted scene, she wryly mocks clueless visitors, poking fun at how they see her, her land, and her culture.
18:38Even stirring up a little panic.
18:40It's a big subject to cover in a kid's movie.
18:42Some will laugh in recognition.
18:44Others might feel a tad sheepish.
18:46Either way, it's some great irreverent commentary.
18:49If you lived here, you'd understand.
19:01Number 6.
19:02How Lilo & Stitch Brought the Ink Back to Life
19:05Back in Disney's early days, watercolor images were standard.
19:08Until newer, faster technologies took over.
19:11Watercolor was used for the backgrounds, never for the characters.
19:14Because even in Pinocchio and Bambi, the characters are from the drawings, hand-inked on these cells, on these clear cells.
19:22But Lilo & Stitch became one of those rare films for which watercolors were brought back from retirement to give that bright, storybook feel, and create a visual link to classic Disney.
19:32You have to be a dynamite artist with lots of experience to do that.
19:36The watercolor thing would give it a new edge, because it hadn't been done.
19:40It just hasn't been done before.
19:41Although, the filmmakers soon learned that painting every lush Hawaiian backdrop by hand was no small feat.
19:47The team even traveled to Hawaii to capture the scenery just right.
19:51The result was a, quote, dreamy yet tactile look that made the world feel real, but a little magical, too.
19:57As kids, we were too busy laughing at Stitch's antics.
20:00But as adults, we get it.
20:02This film is a work of art.
20:04Literally.
20:05We had Rick go away and do identical paintings.
20:08One in gouache, replicating the watercolor look, and the other in watercolor.
20:13And there was absolutely no comparison.
20:16Number 5.
20:17David's dedication to Nani.
20:19As kids, our hearts probably fluttered for the perfectly quaffed hair and charming smiles of Disney princes.
20:24But with adult eyes, the appeal shifts.
20:27Don't worry.
20:28She likes her butt and fancy hair.
20:30I know.
20:31I read her diary.
20:33She thinks it's fancy?
20:34David Kavana embodies a more grounded, relatable ideal.
20:37A supportive partner, a kind soul, and someone who embraces the messy realities of life.
20:43He likes Nani, but never pressures her.
20:45He's that dependable friend she can lean on when things get tough.
20:48And he'll do anything to help her with no expectations.
20:51Hey, I might not be a doctor, but I know that there's no better cure for a sour face than a couple of boards and some choices.
20:59And some choice waves.
21:01What do you think?
21:02I think that's a great idea.
21:06Yet he also knows when to give her breathing room.
21:08He also seems to love Lilo like a little sister.
21:11Plus, he's a talented fire dancer.
21:13All that packed into a surfer's body.
21:16A like you didn't notice.
21:17Lilo and Stitch's special connection.
21:29Before these two ever met, it was practically written in the stars that they should find each other.
21:34Or, should we say, in the bite marks.
21:36After Stitch bites Captain Gontu, he worries he might need medical attention.
21:40Does this look infected to you?
21:42Meanwhile, light years away, Myrtle voices a similar concern after her altercation with Lilo.
21:48Both also share similar ways of handling situations when they feel trapped.
21:52But perhaps the most telling sign lies in their names.
21:55Does it have to be this dog?
21:57Yes, he's good.
22:03I can tell.
22:04Lilo has a few meanings in Hawaiian, including generous and lost.
22:08Lilo is incredibly generous to Stitch, making him part of their family.
22:12But she's also a lost soul.
22:14Until Stitch comes along.
22:16Or, should we say, until he stitches her life back together.
22:19Uhana means family.
22:22Family means nobody gets left behind.
22:25Number 3.
22:26A love letter to Polynesian culture.
22:28Today, Disney's known for being pretty thoughtful in how it represents different cultures.
22:32But that actually started earlier than you might think.
22:35What are you doing?
22:37It's incredible.
22:39It's an amazing shell.
22:40It's called what?
22:42Kahele Lani.
22:44And he found, like, 18 the first time.
22:46And I'm gonna find one now.
22:49Lilo and Stitch is set on the island of Kauai and centers on local Hawaiian characters and their real-life challenges.
22:55The filmmakers actually visited Hawaii multiple times, studying its landscapes, traditions, and people.
23:01I went to see a hula master, which was arranged for me by the folks at Disney.
23:07And for those who have not been in touch with the Hawaiian culture with regard to hula, it's a very serious part of their culture.
23:19They worked closely with cultural experts, incorporating everything from history and traditions to the rhythms of everyday island life.
23:27Music and dance is a big part of the story, and if you know hula, you'll definitely catch the care they put in.
23:32Step, step, step, step, step, step, that's all we're doing, okay?
23:37Women only get right, left, right, one, two, left, right, left.
23:41Also check out David's necklace.
23:43It seems to be a nod to Polynesian mythology, specifically one that would make a big Mickey Mouse-shaped splash years later.
23:49Number 2. And sister of the year goes to…
23:52Sometimes, it's not until we've grown up that we realize just how much our Guardians did for us, and how much we put them through.
23:59I like you better as a sister than a mom.
24:03Yeah?
24:05And you like me better as a sister than a rabbit, right?
24:10Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Yes.
24:14Nani's barely an adult herself, but after losing their parents, she becomes Lilo's sole carer, making sure there's food on the table, a roof over their heads, and keeping child services at bay.
24:26I'm adjusted, I eat four food groups and look both ways before crossing the street, and take long naps, and get disciplined?
24:34Scrump might be the unofficial mascot for how little they have, but Nani works her heart out to give Lilo a real childhood.
24:40And those surfing trophies in her room seem to quietly hint at a life she put on paws to take care of her sister.
24:46Here's to the Nani's in our lives. Go hug yours.
24:49One fond embrace, a holy love, until we meet again.
25:07Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
25:12Pleakley's Half View Master. If you know how those things work, you'll realize Pleakley never sees the full picture.
25:18Are they intelligent?
25:19No, but they're very delicate. In fact, every time an asteroid strikes their planet, they have to begin life all over.
25:27It's fascinating, isn't it?
25:28What happened to experiments one through six to five?
25:31We eventually found out the answer in the spin-off series, but Jumba's lying through all four of his eyes.
25:36Created something.
25:38Ah, but that would be irresponsible and unethical.
25:42I would never, ever make more than one.
25:47Lilo's Horrifying Connections.
25:50If you hear Lilo say seven days, you're in major trouble.
25:53Seven days.
25:54Number one.
25:56The significance of Lilo's sandwich routine.
25:58Sure, Lilo's a bit of a handful, but kids typically don't act out for no reason.
26:03And she's no exception.
26:04She and Nani have been through the unimaginable, losing both parents unexpectedly and suddenly facing the very real threat of being separated.
26:12Lilo!
26:13Do you not understand?
26:15Do you want to be taken away?
26:18Answer me!
26:19Nani's doing everything she can to hold things together, but it often feels like the world's against them.
26:24One early moment says so much.
26:26Lilo insists she was late to Hula because she had to feed Pudge, the fish she believes controls the weather.
26:32Cause I had to go to the store and get peanut butter, cause all we have is, is sticky douda!
26:38Lilo, Lilo.
26:39Why is this so important?
26:40Pudge controls the weather.
26:42It sounds quirky until we learn how her parents died.
26:46Suddenly it clicks.
26:47That's grief talking.
26:48And honestly, once you realize that, you just want to hug her forever.
26:52That's us before.
26:55It was rainy and they went for a drive.
27:00So is Lilo and Stitch the Disney live action remake that redeems all of the iffy ones?
27:05Or is this more of the same?
27:07A cash grab that we really didn't need?
27:09I mean, without Pleakley and Drag, I don't even know what we're doing here honestly.
27:13Anyway, thank you so much for joining me on this deep dive into Lilo and Stitch.
27:17See you next time!
27:18Did you enjoy this video?
27:20Check out these other clips from WatchMojo.
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27:32Bye bye!
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