In recent years, live-action remakes have become a staple of Hollywood’s cinematic landscape. Two new releases, Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, are the latest additions to this trend. What sets these films apart is their connection to Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, who co-directed both the animated originals. Both movies boast recognizable directors and casts but lack significant changes from the source material.
The financial success of these live-action remakes suggests a shift in Hollywood’s approach to nostalgia. With the recent failure of Disney’s Snow White remake and Pinocchio adaptation, studios are increasingly turning to more contemporary properties. This move towards reviving popular classics with younger generations in mind is evident in Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon.
Notably, both films feature original releases from within the past two decades. Lilo & Stitch, from 2002, and How to Train Your Dragon, from 2010, are being reimagined for modern audiences. This approach raises questions about the feasibility of revisiting beloved properties with such a short timeline between original release and remake.
The dominance of live-action remakes highlights Hollywood’s struggle with imagination in recent years. As Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland took over $1 billion at the box office in 2010, the trend has continued to grow. The upcoming remake of Moana, set for release less than a decade after its original film, sparks debate about whether nostalgia can truly be recaptured so quickly.
The rise of live-action remakes signals a shift towards reviving nostalgic properties with younger audiences in mind. As studios continue to explore this trend, it remains to be seen how effectively they will balance creative innovation with commercial appeal.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2025/06/how-to-train-your-dragon-remake-lilo-stitch-live-action/683171