The Definitive Lilo & Stitch Timeline: How Old Is Lilo Pelekai In Every Movie And Series?

The question of "How old is Lilo in Lilo & Stitch?" is one of the most frequently searched queries for fans of the beloved Disney franchise, and as of December 18, 2025, the official answer remains consistent across the main canon, though the timeline progression adds a fascinating layer of complexity. The eccentric, kind-hearted Hawaiian girl who adopts an alien experiment is a central figure whose age directly impacts the emotional core of the 2002 film.

The definitive, official age for Lilo Pelekai at the start of the original animated movie, Lilo & Stitch (2002), is six years old. This age is crucial to understanding her social worker issues, her deep sense of loss, and her desperate need for a friend, which leads her to adopt Experiment 626, whom she names Stitch. Her age progresses slightly throughout the franchise, making the answer a journey through the entire Disney canon.

Lilo Pelekai: The Official Biography and Character Profile

To fully appreciate Lilo’s age and its significance, it’s essential to know the key biographical details of the character who brought the concept of 'Ohana (family) to life.

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• Full Name: Lilo Pelekai
• Age (Original Film Start): 6 years old
• Age (Original Film End/Series Start): 7 years old
• Species: Human
• Birthplace: Kauai, Hawaii
• Family: Nani Pelekai (Older Sister/Guardian), Mr. and Mrs. Pelekai (Deceased Parents), Stitch (Adopted Pet/Brother)
• Key Relationships: Stitch (Experiment 626), Jumba Jookiba, Pleakley, Cobra Bubbles
• Hobbies: Hula dancing, photography (especially of tourists), feeding Pudge the fish (who she believes controls the weather), and listening to Elvis Presley.
• First Appearance: Lilo & Stitch (2002)
• Live-Action Actress: Maia Kealoha (In the upcoming 2025 film)

The six-year-old age is a deliberate choice by the creators, Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois. It establishes Lilo as a child old enough to feel profound grief and isolation, yet young enough to still possess an unbridled, eccentric imagination and a capacity for unconditional love, which is exactly what Stitch needed.

The Age Progression: Lilo’s Journey Through the Disney Timeline

The Lilo & Stitch franchise is unique in that it follows a relatively linear timeline, meaning Lilo's age actually increases across the movies and the television series. This progression is key for fans looking for a complete answer.

Lilo at 6 and 7: The Original Movie and Direct Sequels

The first film, Lilo & Stitch, covers a period where Lilo is 6 years old. Her age is a major plot point, as her guardian, her older sister Nani Pelekai (who is approximately 19 years old), is constantly under threat of having Lilo taken away by the social worker, Cobra Bubbles, due to Nani's inability to maintain a stable home environment.

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By the end of the film, or shortly before the subsequent series begins, Lilo has a birthday and turns 7 years old. This small jump is confirmed in the timeline of the franchise.

The first direct-to-video sequel, Stitch! The Movie (2003), and the second sequel, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005), both take place when Lilo is still 7 years old. These films focus on her continued relationship with Stitch and the introduction of the other 625 experiments.

Lilo's Age in The Animated Series (Lilo & Stitch: The Series)

The television series, which ran from 2003 to 2006, is where Lilo's age truly progresses. The show’s plot centers on Lilo and Stitch capturing and finding a "place where they belong" for the remaining 625 alien experiments.

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• Start of the Series: Lilo is 7 years old.
• During the Series: Lilo celebrates another birthday in the first season, making her 8 years old for the majority of the show’s run.

This period of her life involves significant character development, as she takes on the responsibility of being the "Experiment Keeper," a role that requires maturity, quick thinking, and a deep understanding of 'Ohana.

Lilo’s Final Age in the Original Canon: The Grand Finale

The franchise's final canonical installment, the TV movie Leroy & Stitch (2006), wraps up the story of the original series. By the time this movie takes place, Lilo is nearing the end of her elementary school years.

Official sources indicate that Lilo Pelekai is almost 10 years old by the conclusion of the entire original "Hawaii Saga" canon. This means the entire journey, from adopting Stitch to finding homes for all 625 experiments and saying goodbye to her friends, spans approximately three to four years of Lilo's life.

The New Era: Lilo’s Age in the Live-Action Remake (2025)

The announcement of a live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, set for release in 2025, has reignited interest in the core details of the story, including Lilo's age.

The live-action film is expected to be a faithful retelling of the original 2002 story. As such, the character of Lilo Pelekai is once again being portrayed as a six-year-old Native Hawaiian girl.

The casting of young actress Maia Kealoha, who was 7-8 years old during the filming process, confirms the production's commitment to maintaining the original age of the character. This consistency ensures that the emotional stakes—the threat of Lilo being separated from Nani by Cobra Bubbles—remain just as high and heartbreaking as they were in the original animated classic.

The new film will re-introduce a new generation to the core themes of family, loss, and acceptance, all centered around a six-year-old girl who finds her best friend in the most unlikely of places.

Topical Authority: Why Lilo’s Age Matters to the Story

Lilo’s young age is not just a random detail; it is a foundational element that drives the entire narrative and thematic depth of the franchise. It connects to several key entities and concepts:

• The Social Worker (Cobra Bubbles): A six-year-old is highly vulnerable and legally dependent on their guardian. This age makes the threat of separation from Nani a constant, terrifying reality, giving the story its emotional tension.
• Grief and Loss: Lilo’s parents died in a car accident, and her young age means she is processing immense grief in a unique, sometimes maladaptive way (like feeding Pudge the fish). Her eccentric behavior is a coping mechanism for a child who is too young to fully understand her loss.
• Unconditional Love: Only a child of Lilo's age, with her pure, unfiltered view of the world, could look at a destructive, four-armed alien experiment (Stitch) and see a "dog" that needs a family. Her belief in 'Ohana is total and unquestioning.
• Nani’s Responsibility: Lilo's age places an enormous, adult burden on her 19-year-old sister, Nani, who is forced to quickly transition from a young adult to a full-time parent and provider.

In conclusion, while Lilo Pelekai starts her journey at six years old in the 2002 film and the upcoming live-action remake, her life story officially progresses to nearly ten years old by the end of the full animated canon. This journey of growth, from an isolated child to a confident "Experiment Keeper," is what makes her one of Disney's most enduring and beloved characters.