Lilo & Stitch (2002)

What’s it about?

A lonely girl living with her older sister in Hawaii adopts a strange ‘dog’, completely unaware that it’s actually an alien scientific experiment named Stitch. Together they learn about family, belonging, and the Hawaiian concept of “ohana” — meaning no one gets left behind or forgotten.

The facts

• Directed by Dean Deblois & Chris Sanders
• Starring Daveigh Chase (Lilo), Chris Sanders (Stitch), Tia Carrere (Nani), David Ogden Stiers (Jumba), Kevin McDonald (Pleakley), Ving Rhames (Cobra Bubbles)
• English and Hawaiian languages
• Runtime: 85 minutes
• Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature

Why did it get this rating?

This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Low-level violence

The film contains mild cartoon fantasy violence including laser guns and explosions. The violence isn’t strong because of the animmation and humour used in the films. SFor example: 

• Aliens shoot lasers at each other as a character tries to escape. 
• A young girl asks a CIA agent if he has ever killed anyone. He replies with “we’re getting off the subject”, implying that he has.
• A character is knocked unconscious after being run over by a truck, but this is not graphic.
• Two girls get into a scuffle after one teases the other, leading to a punch to the face and a bite before they are quickly pulled apart.

Frightening scenes

Some younger viewers may find the appearance of certain aliens frightening, especially if they're sensitive to this type of content; however, most of the aliens are kind—or eventually become kind.

There are some intense, chaotic scenes, especially because Stitch is a very mischievous creature who tries to destroy everything he sees.

When content stays with you:

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Brain development – how it works, why it matters