Besides being an adorable movie, "Lilo and Stitch" has subtle messages to go along with the cuteness that is Lilo and Stitch’s friendship and the adventures that they go through to remain together. Here are some lessons we can all take away from the movie:
1. Ohana means family
This is probably one of the more obvious ones, but it is just as important as all the others. We all know Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. Stitch is quick to become part of Lilo and Nani’s family even though he is only there for a few days. Lilo never gives up on him, even when most people would have. Blood isn’t what makes them family, it's the bond that they have. Ohana is the family we’re born with and also the family we make. Sometimes, the bonds we make are just as strong.
2. There's nothing wrong with looking different than expected
Pleakley is obviously not fitting in with the gendered stereotypes at all. He likes to wear a wig sometimes and other times you see him as an agent. He’s the definition of genderfluid, and it’s nice to see. He’s also proud of his job and takes it seriously. Having information that others don’t, even if it’s not always right, can save people from getting hurt.
3. Do what you love because the people that matter will accept you
Lilo is definitely not the definition of normal, but she enjoys dancing and playing with her doll, Scrump. She knows voodoo, loves Elvis, and feeds peanut butter sandwiches to fish that control the weather. It's what makes her little heart happy, and that's what is important. Stitch, Nani, and David accept her. Even though she is a bit odd, that doesn't stop her from doing what she likes or stop others from loving her.
4. Hard work pays off
Nani's gone through a rough time in her life. She's lost her parents, her job, and is taking care of her little sister on her own, all while dealing with their alien dog and the evil aliens that are after him. It'd be enough to make anyone want to quit, but she still works hard to make everything better for her family. She gets frustrated sometimes, but she still keeps pushing on.
5. You can like someone without ruining your friendship or getting together
We all know that David is in love with Nani, and she even seems to like him back. However, she has things that she needs to focus on besides having a boyfriend. David respects that. He doesn't get angry when Nani turns him down, and he doesn't start ignoring her. Instead, David helps her like any friend would, despite rejection. He helps her find a job, helps her take care of Lilo, and is an overall good friend.
6. Sometimes, things have to fall down to become even better
Their house was destroyed at the end of the movie, but the rebuilding process brings a whole new family together. Their lives might have fell apart, but it all certainly fell back together by the end in an even better way. If nothing else, things always come back together in the end.
There's a lot of things we can learn from "Lilo and Stitch." For such a cute movie, it has more than one deep message.
