You’d think finding a Disney movie in 2026 would be as simple as opening one app and hitting play. Honestly, it usually is. But with the massive explosion of the live-action remake last year—which somehow cleared a billion dollars at the box office—things have gotten slightly more cluttered for anyone trying to figure out where to watch lilo & stitch.
The "Ohana" vibes are everywhere right now. Between the 2002 hand-drawn original that basically defined a generation’s childhood and the new Dean Fleischer Camp-directed juggernaut, you've actually got several different versions of this story floating around the digital ether.
If you are just looking for the quick answer: Disney+ is the primary home. But there’s a lot of nuance regarding the series, the sequels, and those who want to own a permanent digital copy without paying for a monthly subscription. Let's break down the reality of the streaming landscape right now.
Where to watch lilo & stitch in 2026: The Streaming Reality
Most people naturally head to Disney+. It makes sense. Disney owns the IP, and they’ve spent the last few years pulling their content back from competitors like Netflix and Hulu. As of today, January 18, 2026, both the 2002 animated classic and the 2025 live-action version are sitting comfortably on the service.
The live-action film, starring Maia Kealoha and Sydney Agudong, finally landed on Disney+ on September 3, 2025. It took about 100 days to get there after its theatrical run, which is pretty standard for the "House of Mouse" these days. If you’re a subscriber, you can stream it in 4K with Dolby Atmos at no extra cost.
But what if you don't have Disney+?
Buying vs. Renting
Some people just hate subscriptions. Totally fair. If you want to watch the movie without the "walled garden" of a monthly fee, you have the PVOD (Premium Video on Demand) options.
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- Amazon Prime Video: You can buy the 2025 remake for around $19.99 or rent it for $5.99. The 2002 original is usually cheaper to rent, often dipping to $3.99.
- Apple TV / iTunes: Same deal. They offer the 4K versions, and honestly, the bit rate on Apple is often slightly better than the other retailers if you've got a high-end OLED setup.
- Google Play / YouTube Movies: Good for Android users. It stays in your library forever, or at least as long as the service exists.
- Fandango at Home: Formerly Vudu. They often have "bundle" deals where you can snag the 2002 original and the 2025 remake together for a discounted price.
The Netflix and Hulu "Problem"
A common misconception is that because Disney owns Hulu, the movie should be there. Nope. Disney is very protective of their "Masterbrand" films. While you might see Predator: Badlands or more mature content on Hulu, Lilo & Stitch stays on the blue app.
And Netflix? Forget about it. Those days are long gone. Unless you live in a very specific international territory with weird licensing laws, you won't find Experiment 626 hanging out on Netflix.
What About the "Deep Lore" and the Series?
This is where things get kinda messy for the completionists. Everyone remembers the movie, but the Lilo & Stitch: The Series (the one where they hunt down the other 625 experiments) is a whole different beast.
Luckily, Disney+ actually has the entire run of the series. They also have the direct-to-video sequels like Stitch! The Movie, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, and Leroy & Stitch.
Interestingly, there's been a lot of talk about a live-action sequel already. With the first remake hitting $1.038 billion last year, Disney greenlit a second one almost immediately. Chris Sanders—the voice of Stitch and the original director—is back as a writer for that one. While you can't watch the sequel yet, the hype is why the 2002 original is currently trending again on the charts.
Physical Media: The Secret Hack
I know, "who uses discs anymore?" But here’s the thing. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray of the 2025 movie released in late August last year, and it looks incredible. If you care about "O-ha-na" not being interrupted by a buffering wheel when your Wi-Fi dies, owning the disc is still the play.
Plus, the Blu-ray usually comes with a digital code you can redeem on Movies Anywhere. This is a huge win because it syncs your purchase across Amazon, Apple, and Google Play simultaneously.
Actionable Steps for Your Movie Night
If you're ready to dive back into Kauai, here is exactly how to handle it:
- Check your Disney+ subscription status. If you have it, just search "Stitch" and you'll see a dedicated "Lilo & Stitch Collection" tile that houses every single movie and the show in chronological order.
- Use Movies Anywhere if buying. If you aren't a streamer, buy the digital version through a service that supports Movies Anywhere. This way, if you switch from an iPhone to an Android later, you don't lose your movie.
- Check for "Fan Events." Since the remake was such a hit, some boutique theaters like Alamo Drafthouse have been doing "Island Vibes" screenings where they play the original and the remake back-to-back. Check your local listings.
- Watch in Order. If it's your first time, start with the 2002 animated film. The remake is great, but the heart of the franchise is in that hand-drawn animation. Then, if you're hooked, jump into the series before touching the live-action version.
The landscape for where to watch lilo & stitch is more stable now than it was during the 2025 theatrical release chaos. Stick to Disney+ for the most "bang for your buck," or grab a permanent digital copy on Prime Video if you're an occasional viewer. Either way, the "badness level" is currently low and the availability is high.