Life lessons from Lilo & Stitch on belonging and ohana 

THE live-action Lilo & Stitch brings our beloved intergalactic menace back with even more fur, feels, and (unsurprisingly) destruction. But beneath the chaos, Stitch’s mayhem still holds life lessons wrapped in blue fuzz and one-liners. Here are five takeaways from Experiment 626 himself.

1. Yes, everyone has a tendency to mess up, but it’s what you do that matters more

From wrecking spaceships to crashing and destroying wedding ceremonies, Stitch is an alien wrecking ball. But throughout the film, even when he messes up, he keeps trying to do better. The live-action version shows that redemption isn’t about being perfect. 

2. We create our own identities, even if we think we do not have one

Stitch starts out as a “monster,” engineered for destruction. But when Lilo names him, claims him, and shares her value of ohana with him, he became something new. That he too can be capable of love. It’s a reminder that who you are isn’t where you start, it’s the choices you make.

3. The beautiful and real are always revealed in chaos.

Yes, Stitch causes total havoc, but it’s in the middle of that chaos that he connects with Lilo and her family. Sometimes, relationships are born in the middle of messy moments, not picture-perfect ones. Destruction can clear the path for something real.

4. Love doesn’t always look “normal”

Stitch’s way of showing love might involve biting things or yelling incomprehensibly—but it’s love all the same. The film reminds us that affection doesn’t have to fit a mold. Sometimes love looks like sticking around, even when you could teleport away.

5. Humans are weird, not only aliens. Embrace weird.

Whether it’s biting records or dressing up as Elvis, Stitch’s weirdness is what makes him unforgettable and lovable. The film leans into that even more in live-action. Moral of the story? Your quirks aren’t flaws—they’re what make you uniquely capable of finding your place in the world.

Revisit the magic of ohana! Lilo & Stitch returns in a heartwarming live-action remake, now playing in theaters nationwide. Relive the laughter, love, and chaos that made it a classic. (JGS)