Disney has finally revealed what Stitch will look like in the live-action D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, where the House of Mouse unveiled many exciting details from projects. Among them was the first look at the CGI recreation of the lovable alien from the 2002 animated film. Given the failures of past such endeavors, I have been nervous about Stitch's appearance. There were dozens of ways Disney could have gone wrong with the Lilo & Stitch remake, but I am so far pleased.

Disney has been slowly remaking many of its animated classics into live-action or CGI-hybrid films, and Lilo & Stitch was announced to be among these several years ago. Naturally, there have been various delays between COVID-19 and SAG-AFTRA/WGA strikes. However, filming for the live-action reimagining finally wrapped in March 2024, and Disney was confident enough to reveal a theatrical release window for Lilo & Stitch at D23—Summer 2025. Along with this announcement came a short teaser clip featuring the adorable Stitch in his new CGI getup, and he's looking pretty fresh.

A composite image of the live-action stitch grinning in front of Lilo and Stitch hula dancing in the animated movie

Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Remake: Release Date, Cast, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know

The Disney classic Lilo & Stitch is getting a live-action remake. Here's everything we know about the return of the blue alien and his young friend.

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Stitch's Live-Action Design Is Exactly What I Imagined

Stitch's New Look Suits Him

Stitch's design in the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie could have gone in a variety of directions. We all the disaster that was the original Sonic design in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie (appropriately dubbed "Ugly Sonic") and my fear was that Stitch was going to look similarly. After all, he is an alien that is supposed to somewhat as a dog, and this idea led to a variety of unsettling concept designs from fans in the years following the Lilo & Stitch announcement. Thankfully, Disney didn't overthink it, and the unveiled Stitch design is absolutely perfect.

Overall, Stitch looks just like he did in the animated Lilo & Stitch movie. I'm relieved Disney didn't go overboard trying to reinvent the character. Of course, the design still elevates the animated version, and Stitch's fluffiness and general texture bring a sense of realness to the character. It looks as if the designers took inspiration from a dog and a koala, which is perfect since these are the two animals Nani used to describe Stitch in the original animated film. In all, Stitch just looks downright cuddly, and I'm so excited to see more of him when the official trailer for Lilo & Stitch eventually drops.

Chris Sanders Returns To Voice Stitch In The Live-Action Movie

Stitch's Voice Pulls Everything Together

Disney envieled more than just Stitch's look at D23 2024. The short clip saw the fluffy CGI character deliver Stitch's most iconic line (in his alien tongue), with the voice of Chris Sanders, who also held this role in the animated Lilo & Stitch movie. This is another deeply relieving factor of the live-action film. As well as looking like Stitch, this CGI version will sound like him, too, and this allows the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie to maintain some cohesiveness with the film we know and love. While we still have a year to wait, D23 2024 has given me a whole lot to look forward to.