Sydney Agudong and Newcomer Maia Kealoha, who stars as Lilo in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, at the World Premiere (photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures)
The film, which opened with a record-setting $183 million in the U.S. over Memorial Day weekend and $361.6 million globally, continues to draw audiences with its heartfelt storytelling and culturally grounded cast.
Filipina-American actresses Sydney Agudong and Tia Carrere, both from Hawai‘i, play key roles in the reimagined island tale. Agudong stars as Nani Pelekai, while Carrere—who voiced Nani in the original 2002 animated film—returns as Mrs. Kekoa, a social worker. Their performances have been widely praised for adding authenticity and emotional resonance.
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and shot entirely in Hawai‘i, the film features Hawaiian language, chant, and hula-informed visuals, further solidifying its cultural fidelity.
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