By Cassandra Pinkney
Disney fans know to be on the lookout for Easter eggs in all their favorite films, and the live-action reimagining of Lilo & Stitch is no exception! From unforgettable fan-favorite references that harken back to the 2002 animated film to blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments from the around the worlds of Disney, there’s so much in this film for fans to enjoy…
There’s so much to explore—but here are five especially memorable Easter eggs from Lilo & Stitch, now playing only in theaters!
Original Cast Members & All-New Characters
‘Ohana means family, which means welcoming back cast members from the ‘02 film to reprise their iconic roles… and bringing new characters to the fold! Reprising his role as everyone’s favorite little blue alien, Stitch, is Chris Sanders. Sanders originally came up with the character of Stitch in 1985 and held onto the mischievous little monster until he pitched the story of Lilo & Stitch in the late 1990s.
Sanders is responsible for so much when it comes to Stitch— he created the character; lent Stitch his voice to bring him to life; and co-wrote and co-directed the animated film!
Sanders is joined by several of his ‘02 co-stars—who all play brand-new characters that bring exciting story elements to this 2025 live-action reimagining. Jason Scott Lee, the voice of David Kawena in the ‘02 film, plays the manager of the lu’au where David (Kaipot Dudoit) and Nani (Sydney Agudong) work. Also returning is Amy Hill, the voice of Mrs. Hasagawa from the animated film. She now plays Tūtũ, Nani and Lilo’s (Maia Kealoha) concerned and caring neighbor. And Tia Carrere, the original voice of Nani Pelekai, brings the character of Mrs. Kekoa to life; Mrs. Kekoa is a social worker assigned to Lilo and Nani’s case, who acts a mentor for the older of the Pelekai sisters. The relationship between Nani and Mrs. Kekoa is a touching display of passing the torch from one actress to another to tell the story of Lilo & Stitch for a new generation.
Expanded Backstories
Lilo & Stitch (2025) has some new plot points that make the story of Stitch finding his ‘ohana as heartwarming as ever. A big development in the live-action reimagining, created by director Dean Fleischer Camp, is the backstory that Lilo and Nani’s parents were scientists who worked for the state of Hawaii. Production designer Todd Cherniawsky used this part of the story as the foundation for decorating the Pelekai home; if you look closely, you’ll find science books and diving equipment that their parents would have used for their work. Cherniawsky says that these memories of their parents stayed in the home because Nani has not had the time to declutter, so their belongings act to memorialize them.
Fan-Favorite Moments
We love how the filmmakers were able to create some new story elements for the next generation of Lilo & Stitch fans while also referencing some of the most iconic moments from the animated film that made it so beloved.
The film begins with Lilo dropping a sandwich into a coral reef while swimming in the ocean—a direct reference to Pudge, the fish from the 2002 film that Lilo feeds sandwiches to because, she believes, he controls the weather. Speaking of food from the original film, the man who continually drops his ice cream when witnessing the aliens’ shenanigans has changed his treat of choice to a snow cone in the most recent reimagining. And of course, some of our favorite moments come from Stitch himself: There’s Lilo showing Stitch his “badness level” (which is unusually high for someone of his size); Stitch acting as Lilo’s own personal record player; him using iconic catchphrases; and so many more.
It’s a Stitch Family Reunion!
2025’s Lilo & Stitch is full of so many loveable characters, but did you spot the reference to some Jumba’s other experiments? Toward the end of the film, Jumba tells Stitch about his master plan to use him to create more Stitch-like experiments. When the pair are on Jumba’s ship, look closely at the images he scrolls through on one of the ship’s screens. Eagle-eyed fans will be able to spot models of the unnamed experiment 627; Stitch’s love interest, Angel (experiment 624); and Jumba’s sandwich-loving creation, Reuben (experiment 625). These characters can be seen in films and television shows such as Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Stitch! The Movie (2003), The Origin of Stitch (2005), and Leroy & Stitch (2006).
Stitch the Destroyer
Disney fans are always hunting for Easter eggs when they go to the movies, but did you spot a reference to both a classic Disney film and Walt Disney World? In the 2002 animated film, Stitch creates a model of San Francisco to destroy in Lilo’s bedroom. In the 2025 film, Stitch takes his destructive tendencies to the beach to wipe out some sandcastles. One of these castles looks much more regal than the rest—and may even have a lost glass slipper waiting on its steps. Yes, Stitch destroys a sandcastle version of Cinderella’s Castle, one of the many items he wrecks throughout the film. It’s a good thing he’s so cute…
Want to see these Easter eggs (and more!) for yourself? See Lilo & Stitch, now playing only in theaters.