Disney's awful live-action remakes could be fixed by a lesson from Marvel

CGI version of Stitch
The new Lilo & Stitch lacks the charm of the original (Image credit: Disney)

Another day, another Disney live-action remake savaged by critics. On the day I'm writing this, Lilo & Stitch has been brutally panned ahead of its 23 May release. The Guardian didn't mince words, branding it a "monstrosity," while AV Club pleaded with cinemagoers to "forget and leave behind this dreadful take." We're a long way from the best animation styles.

When your marketing strategy depends on nostalgia but critics are actively begging audiences to preserve their childhood memories by staying away, you can't deny something's gone badly wrong.

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Tom May
Freelance journalist and editor

Tom May is an award-winning journalist and author specialising in design, photography and technology. His latest book, The 50th Greatest Designers, was released in June 2025. He's also author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books, Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. 

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