Disney’s new live-action Lilo & Stitch remake has become a smash hit at the box office and fans can’t stop sharing their reactions (and Stitch memes!) since watching the film.
But what does Lilo and Stitch’s special bond teach us about friendship?
Well read on for a Hawaiian rollercoaster ride of some real life friendship tips, inspired by the movie.
Warning: This article contains film spoilers!
1. Accepting yourself and other people
Despite being different, Lilo and Stitch find a way to accept and love each other for who they really are.
They embrace each other’s differences and unique traits (even though Stitch is an alien from a different galaxy!)
In our article '7 signs to look for in a healthy relationship', being the real ‘you’ is something that's flagged at being really important.
The team at It Happens Education, an organisation who delivers relationship and educational sessions to young people, say that for relationships to be authentic and safe – you need to be able to explore who the real you is, without fear of judgement. Be yourself. No filters, no edits, no pretending. Real feels.
They told us getting to know ‘you’ can take time, as we grow and develop. And of course, we can change over time too and that's OK.
2. Friendship is about loyalty and being ive
Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.
At various stages of the movie, both Lilo and Stitch show loyalty towards each other and we hear the iconic Ohana quote.
ing friends and family by helping them out with something is key to having healthy friendships, according to Dr Radha and TikToker Ami Charlize in the BBC Bitesize 'World of Wellbeing' podcast.
Ami explains: "I think (you want) friends that are going to bring you up, not bring you down. You know… make you feel like the smallest achievements are the biggest achievements."
3. Friends help prevent loneliness
Near the start of the movie, Lilo thinks she sees a shooting star and wishes for her own best friend.
Little did she know it was actually Stitch’s alien spaceship crashing down on Earth and before we know it, Stitch gets taken in by Lilo after he pretends to be a dog at her local animal centre.
It's Lilo’s new found friendship with Stitch which helps her to feel connected and gives her a sense of belonging.
According to Dr Radha, friendships and connecting with other people is good for our mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Radha says: “When life gets tough and things get really tricky for us, it's our friendships basically, our relationships, which keep us resilient, keeps us kind of going, keeps us kind of almost surviving through those difficult times."
4. Wanting the best for each other
At the beginning of the film, Stitch only cares about his own interests: cake and ruining things.
But when he meets Lilo, he learns how to be a loyal friend and put his mate's needs before his own (even if that means sacrificing himself at points!) Don’t worry Stitch is OK.
The fact of the matter is Stitch learns how to be selfless. Showing kindness, negotiation and compromise is key to friendships and Stitch does more than enough of that throughout the movie.
5. Treat your friends with comion
No matter how much destruction Stitch causes at the start of the film (like when he messes up Lilo and her older sister Nani’s entire house!) Lilo still chooses to forgive him for his flaws, despite being annoyed at first.
Instead, she treats him with comion and kindness. Lilo teaches Stitch that friendships and family isn’t always perfect and that is OK.
And showing friends kindness and mutual respect is a big one to , even if it can be really tough at times.
In our article 'top 3 ways you can be a better friend', Dr Robin Banerjee, an expert in kindness, says that being kind nurtures friendships and is known to be good for our wellbeing too.
If you need
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment you can Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.
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