Did the ‘Lilo & Stitch’ remake forget what ‘ohana’ means?

Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch” has sparked backlash for altering the original film’s ending, with critics arguing it undermines the story’s core message of family.

Spoiler alert: This story contains major plot details from the ending of the “Lilo & Stitch” remake

About the change: In the original 2002 animated film, Nani, Lilo’s older sister, fights to keep their family together after their parents’ death, emphasizing the Hawaiian concept of “ohana” — meaning family. The remake changes this narrative, with Nani relinquishing custody of Lilo to pursue a marine biology degree in California, leaving Lilo in the care of their neighbor, Tūtū.

What they’re saying: The shift has led to accusations from fans on social media and forums that Disney disregarded the original’s theme of familial perseverance. One Reddit user commented, “It feels like the live action just forgot what Ohana was all about.” Another added, “Nani would never ever leave Lilo on her own in the original no matter how much she got on her nerves she still loves her.”

Director Dean Fleischer Camp shared a link to a Forbes article that delved into “hanai” — a Hawaiian tradition of informal adoption within extended families. “For anybody questioning the ending of our film, this beautiful piece […] nails it,” he wrote on X. He later added, “It seems like the people with actual lived experiences like this are the ones with whom this ending resonates the most.”

“Ohana” and “hanai”: In Hawaiian culture, “ohana” means family — not just by blood, but through love and mutual responsibility. The tradition of “hanai” reflects this broader concept of kinship and care. Both shaped the original film’s emotional core. The remake’s ending has prompted debate over whether it honors or contradicts these values.

In an earlier interview with Deadline, Camp said the team aimed to modernize and nuance the idea of “ohana.” “It just felt like the right thing to do,” he said. “Given that Nani … had to abandon a lot of these dreams or defer them because she had to take care of her little sister … she might not have such an easy time buying into, ‘Nobody gets left behind.’”

The bottom line: Despite the controversy, the film has been commercially successful, grossing over $611 million worldwide as of June 1.