Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch movie opens this weekend – set to take on Tom Cruise’s big Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning – and the Rotten Tomatoes score is in, but it’s rather mediocre.
What is the Lilo & Stitch Rotten Tomatoes score?
With 107 reviews, the Lilo & Stitch Rotten Tomatoes Score is currently at 72%.
For a comparison, the 2002 animated movie is at 86% from the critics and 78% from the fans (Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning is at 80%).
Once Lilo & Stitch opens Friday, the Rotten Tomatoes fan score should become available.
What do the reviews say?
The reviews actually might not matter as Lilo & Stich is expected to open big, possibly $185M – $230M for the four-day holiday weekend. That said, here is a run-down of what the negative and positive reviews have to say.
The negative
Negative reviews of Lilo & Stitch criticize the live-action remake for lacking the original’s magic, charm, and emotional depth. Critics argue the characters feel flat, with Stitch’s chaotic energy falling short of being funny or engaging. Others call it a redundant, shot-for-shot retread that fails to justify its existence, while still others lament the loss of the original’s quirky spirit, calling the remake sanitized, soulless, and overly safe. Many say it’s watchable but ultimately forgettable.
The two human leads, Nani and Lilo, don’t have nearly enough charm to make up for the deficiencies around them, which leaves the entire movie essentially in Stitch’s claws. Yet even his demented-toddler-on-three-espressos energy isn’t funny. – WSJ
Live-action recycling makes characters you know and love more “real.” And too often, that realism comes with only trace elements of real charm, or magic. – Chicago Tribune
The Disney Live-Action Industrial Complex has made a lot of strange decisions… but fundamentally misunderstanding what makes one of their most universally adored characters worthwhile may be its most egregious. Time
The positive
Positive reviews of Lilo & Stitch praise it as a heartfelt and faithful adaptation that retains the emotional core of the original while updating it for a new generation. Critics highlight the strong performances—especially Maia Kealoha as Lilo—and the film’s focus on the sisterly bond between Lilo and Nani. Reviewers commend its cultural authenticity and emotional resonance, while others say it successfully balances nostalgia with fresh elements. Many note that despite some flaws, it captures the themes of family and belonging with sincerity and charm.
Lively, fast-paced and ever so familiar, the picture is a happy addition to the holiday. It’s worth leaving the house to see. – Seattle Times
It’s a sweet, funny, simple story with a cute central duo and modest scale (thanks to a smaller than typical budget). It turns out to be an excellent candidate for a do-over, able to establish a personality of its own without the original looming over it. – Time Out
For adults, a little of the visual chaos will go a long way, with [Stitch], cute as he is, not exactly E.T. in terms of appeal. Younger viewers should eat it all up, and those weaned on the original film will appreciate the numerous shout-outs. – THR
Release info
Lilo & Stitch is out with Thursday previews and officially opens Friday, May 23rd. Dean Fleischer Camp is the director.
The film stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch.
