The live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch is one of Disney’s most anticipated releases of 2025. Dean Fleischer Camp directed this new version, which brings back the touching story of Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl, and Stitch, a naughty alien creature. This remake goes a step further than the original animated movie from 2002, which did a great job of capturing the spirit of Hawaii. It was filmed on location across the islands, which adds an extra layer of authenticity.
At NetFilming, we’re taking you behind the scenes to show you all the important places where the story was filmed.
A Quick Look at Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Lilo & Stitch (2025) is a live-action remake of Disney’s classic animated movie. The story is about Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl (played by Maia Kealoha) who takes in Stitch, a strange alien experiment that people think is a dog (voiced by Chris Sanders, who was the first person to voice Stitch). Together, they face challenges from alien pursuers and social services while building a bond that celebrates family and belonging. The cast includes Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Nani, Zach Galifianakis as Jumba, Billy Magnussen as Pleakley, and Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles. Released on May 23, 2025, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the film blends live-action with CGI to create a fresh yet nostalgic take on the story.
Lilo & Stitch Filming Locations
The movie was shot entirely in Hawaii, which is where the story takes place. The movie feels real because of the tropical scenery, beaches and cultural aspects of Hawaii. Let’s look at the most important places on Oahu, the main island where the movie was made.
Oahu, Hawaii
Most of the new Lilo & Stitch movie was filmed on Oahu, Hawaii’s most populated island, which is known for its beautiful beaches and rich cultural history. The different landscapes of Oahu, from busy beaches to quiet coastal towns, were the perfect setting for Lilo and Stitch’s adventures. Here are the exact places where the cameras were set up.
Haleiwa
Haleiwa, a small town on Oahu’s North Shore, was one of the main places where the movie was filmed. Haleiwa is known for its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful beaches, which gave the movie a cozy, community feel. The town’s sandy beaches and surf culture were a perfect fit for the story’s Hawaiian setting.
Fun fact: The film’s base camp was also in Haleiwa, but a fire in April 2023 damaged costumes and slowed down production. The team was able to recover and they were able to show off Haleiwa’s charm in scenes that show what Lilo and her sister Nani do every day.
Kalanianaole Highway
The Kalanianaole Highway, a beautiful road along Oahu’s southeastern coast, was another important place. This highway had stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and rocky cliffs, which made the movie more colorful. Scenes filmed here show off Hawaii’s natural beauty, making the island seem like a character in the story. The open views and coastal charm of the highway helped make Lilo & Stitch a fun and adventurous movie.
Waikiki Beach
Lilo & Stitch filmed scenes near the famous Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. The famous Diamond Head mountain is in the background of Waikiki, which has golden sand and clear blue waters. Tourists love this beach because they can swim, surf and paddleboard there. Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian legend, is also where modern surfing began. The movie uses the energy of Waikiki to show how fun and lively Lilo’s world is, along with the story’s sad parts.
Halona Blowhole Lookout
Another place where they filmed was the Halona Blowhole Lookout, which is close to the Kalanianaole Highway. This natural wonder, which was made by old volcanic lava tubes, shoots ocean water into the air, making a stunning show. It is close to Hanauma Bay and has beautiful views of Oahu’s rough coastline. The lookout’s wild beauty made the movie more exciting, especially when Stitch was doing his alien things. If you want to see Hawaii’s raw, natural power, this is the place to go.
Makana Beach
Makana Beach, also known as Makaha Beach, was used for quieter, more real scenes on the west side of Oahu. Makana is less crowded than Waikiki and is known for its golden sand and deep blue waters. In the winter, its big waves attract expert surfers, and in the summer, the water is calm, making it great for swimming and diving. The beach’s laid-back vibe and ties to traditional Hawaiian life made it a great place to film scenes showing Lilo and Nani’s community. Visitors love Makana for its marine life and gorgeous sunsets, but the film reminds us to respect its powerful waves and follow lifeguard advice.
Diamond Head State Monument: A Landmark Cameo
The movie also shows the Diamond Head State Monument in Honolulu. This volcanic crater is one of Oahu’s most famous sights. From here, you can see all of Waikiki and the south shore. Its striking presence gives the movie a distinct Hawaiian feel. Hikers love Diamond Head for its trails, and the movie uses its famous shape to set the story in Hawaii’s one-of-a-kind landscape.
When Was Lilo & Stitch Filmed?
Filming Lilo & Stitch wasn’t without challenges. Production was supposed to start in March 2023, but a fire at the Haleiwa base camp pushed it back. Filming officially started on May 1, 2023, but it stopped in July 2023 because of the SAG-AFTRA strike. In February 2024, the team started filming again and in March 2024, they finished. Even though they had to deal with these problems, the crew was able to capture Hawaii’s beauty and make a movie that feels both new and true to the original.
Lilo & Stitch Behind The Scenes
Bringing the beloved animated classic Lilo & Stitch to life in a live-action format was both a challenge and a passion project for the creative team. Director Dean Fleischer Camp emphasized the importance of grounding the story in real experiences, stating, “I think you are doing yourself and the audience a big disservice if you don’t actually ground it in the real place.”
One of the biggest problems was getting used to Stitch’s chaotic but lovable personality. “Stitch’s whole thing is destruction,” Fleischer Camp said. “A lot of the character’s humor comes from that impulse.” Violence is hard to do; it just ends up in a different place. To get Stitch’s personality right, the team worked with Alex Kupershmidt, the original animator of Stitch. He gave them helpful advice on how to make sure the character’s movements and expressions stayed true to life.
The movie also added new characters to make the story more interesting. Jonathan Eirich, the producer, said that Tūtū, played by Amy Hill, was added to show Hawaiian community values. He said that in Hawaii, a pair of orphaned sisters like Lilo and Nani would probably get help from the community instead of being alone. Tūtū’s character shows this sense of community by taking care of Lilo and giving her advice when Nani has problems.
It was important to cast native Hawaiian actors to make sure the culture was real. Maia Kealoha, who plays Lilo, brought her background and life experiences to the role, which made the movie’s portrayal of Hawaiian life more real. Sydney Agudong, who played Nani, said she was proud to show off Hawaiian culture and stressed how important it was for the movie to be true to life.
The production had its share of problems, such as a fire on set and delays caused by strikes in the industry. Even with these problems, the team’s hard work made sure that filming was finished on time in early 2024.
Lilo & Stitch Official Trailer
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