Disney Is Surprisingly Releasing A Lilo & Stitch Movie This Year, & The Poster Reveals New Character
Disney released a new post for an upcoming Lilo & Stitch short film.
The movie, titled Lilo & Scratch, was first announced back in June at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market. Now, just in time for D23, the short film's poster reveals a new character who will be joining the cast of the hit franchise. The promo image reveals a cute pink kitten named Scratch who will apparently be taking the place of the lovable blue alien.
The project is directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and Malcon Pierce and is scheduled to play in theaters alongside Disney Animation’s upcoming movie Hexed this fall. The new theatrical short will introduce another chaotic member to the iconic duo's unconventional family. Hexed is currently set to premiere on November 25, 2026.
The movie is set not long after the events of Disney’s original 2002 beloved animated film, Lilo & Stitch. The story follows the titular characters. However, this time, Lilo brings home Scratch, a mysterious cat who is capable of giving Stitch a run for his money when it comes to wreaking havoc.
Chris Sanders, the creator of the franchise and voice actor behind Stitch, is returning to reprise his role. Sanders co-wrote and co-directed the original Lilo & Stitch with Dean DeBlois and has continued to voice the alien in several Disney projects. Maia Kealoha will voice Lilo in the short after portraying the character in Disney’s 2025 live-action adaptation of the movie. Lilo & Scratch will be the first theatrical short released by Walt Disney Animation Studios in five years.
For Lilo & Scratch, Walt Disney Animation Studios created a specialized production pipeline designed to bring traditional hand-drawn animation and computer-generated characters together. Veerasunthorn wanted the short to retain the appearance and spirit of the original 2002 Lilo & Stitch while giving artists the freedom to work with different techniques and mediums.
Alex Kupershmidt, who served as Stitch’s supervising animator on the original movie, returned for the new short and animated the portions of the project traditionally. His involvement helped preserve the high quality of the original Lilo & Stitch.
Lilo & Scratch will be released in theaters alongside Hexed on November 25, 2026.