The Definitive Timeline: How Old Is Lilo Pelekai In The Movie And Beyond?

The question of Lilo Pelekai’s exact age has been a persistent point of curiosity for fans of the beloved Disney franchise since the original animated film premiered in 2002. As of today, December 11, 2025, the most accurate and current answer is surprisingly dynamic, shifting depending on which part of the Lilo & Stitch universe you are watching, a crucial detail that will be featured in the highly anticipated live-action remake.

The character of Lilo is designed to represent a child navigating complex emotions, and her age is central to her relationship with her older sister Nani and her pet alien, Stitch. While she starts the story at one specific age, the character’s journey through the sequels and television series provides a full developmental timeline that solidifies her role as the heart of the "Ohana" on the island of Kauai.

Lilo Pelekai: A Comprehensive Character Profile

Lilo Pelekai is one of Disney's most unique and emotionally complex protagonists. Her full profile provides the essential context for understanding her age and her role as the sole human guardian of Experiment 626.

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• Full Name: Lilo Pelekai (Pronounced: LEE-loh)
• First Movie Age (2002): 6 years old (turns 7 by the film's end)
• Primary Residence: Kauai, Hawaii
• Family/Guardian: Nani Pelekai (Older Sister and Legal Guardian, age 19)
• Companion: Stitch (Experiment 626)
• Occupation: Hula student, Photographer, Ambassador to Earth (later in the franchise)
• Signature Look: Red or green muumuu with white leaf designs
• Voice Actress (Original): Daveigh Chase
• Live-Action Actress (2025): Maia Kealoha
• Meaning of Name: The name "Lilo" in Hawaiian means "lost" or "generous," which perfectly reflects her situation as an orphan and her spirit of unconditional love.

The Exact Age of Lilo in the Original 2002 Movie

The original animated movie, Lilo & Stitch (2002), establishes Lilo's age clearly, though subtly, placing her at a critical stage of childhood development.

She Starts the Film at 6 Years Old

Lilo Pelekai is 6 years old for the majority of the first film.

• This age is crucial as it emphasizes her vulnerability and the difficulty her 19-year-old sister, Nani Pelekai, has in raising her alone following the tragic death of their parents.
• Her age helps explain her sometimes erratic behavior, her deep-seated loneliness, and her passionate belief in the concept of 'Ohana' (family), which she tries to teach to Stitch, the chaotic alien she adopts.

She Turns 7 in the Ending Montage

While the film doesn't explicitly state her age at the start, the ending montage provides the definitive clue.

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• In a series of photos showing the new life of the expanded Pelekai family—Lilo, Nani, Stitch, Jumba Jookiba, and Pleakley—one photo clearly shows Lilo's birthday cake.
• The cake has seven candles, indicating that Lilo turns 7 years old shortly after the main events of the movie conclude.

This small detail confirms that the core narrative of the 2002 Disney classic takes place when Lilo is six, a time of profound change and growth for the young girl who teaches an intergalactic fugitive the true meaning of family.

Lilo's Age Timeline Across the Lilo & Stitch Franchise

To fully grasp the character's development and demonstrate topical authority, it is essential to trace Lilo's age through the various sequels and the popular television series. Her age progression is one of the few consistent timelines in the Disney animated universe.

7 Years Old: The Series and Most Sequels

For the majority of the franchise, Lilo is consistently portrayed as a seven-year-old.

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• Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003–2006): Lilo is 7 years old throughout the entire run of the series, which focused on capturing and rehabilitating Jumba's 625 other genetic experiments.
• Stitch! The Movie (2003) and Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005): These direct-to-video sequels generally maintain her age at 7, placing them chronologically after the original film's main events and before the series finale.

10 Years Old: The Series Finale

The final film in the original continuity sees a significant time jump for Lilo, showing her maturation and the lasting impact of her bond with Stitch.

• Leroy & Stitch (2006): In this television film, which serves as the finale to the series, Lilo is 10 years old.
• This jump allows the storyline to address Lilo's impending separation from Stitch, who is called away to become the new captain of the Galactic Armada. It highlights Lilo's maturity in accepting that 'Ohana' doesn't mean always staying together, but never being forgotten.

The Newest Update: Lilo's Age in the 2025 Live-Action Remake

The most current and relevant piece of information for fans today is the upcoming live-action adaptation, which confirms the character's age for a new generation. The film is set to be released on May 23, 2025, bringing the beloved story back to the big screen.

Lilo is 6 Years Old in the Live-Action Film

The live-action film, which stars newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo, is a reimagining of the 2002 animated classic.

• The film confirms that the protagonist is an orphaned six-year-old Native Hawaiian girl.
• This decision keeps the emotional core of the original intact, focusing on a very young child's search for belonging and her unconventional family unit.
• Interestingly, actress Maia Kealoha was also just 6 or 7 years old during the time of filming, lending an authentic youthful energy to the role.

The consistent casting of Lilo as a 6-year-old girl in both the 2002 original and the 2025 remake underscores the importance of her age to the narrative. It is the age where a child is old enough to feel profound loss, but still young enough to hold onto the magic of an alien 'dog' and the power of a broken but loving family.

Topical Authority: Key Entities in Lilo's World

Understanding Lilo's age is just one part of appreciating the depth of the Lilo & Stitch universe. The film’s rich tapestry is woven with crucial characters and concepts that enhance the narrative of a young girl’s life in Hawaii.

• Stitch (Experiment 626): The blue, destructive alien adopted by Lilo, who learns to control his programming through Lilo's love and the concept of 'Ohana'.
• Nani Pelekai: Lilo's older sister and legal guardian, who struggles to balance work, life, and raising her younger sibling at the age of 19.
• Jumba Jookiba: The large, four-eyed, self-proclaimed "evil genius" who created Stitch and other experiments. He becomes a permanent member of the Pelekai household.
• Agent Pleakley: A one-eyed, three-legged alien from the Galactic Federation. Initially sent to retrieve Jumba, he also becomes a member of Lilo's extended family.
• Cobra Bubbles: A former CIA agent and current social worker assigned to Lilo's case. His imposing presence and deep connection to the Pelekai family's history add a layer of intrigue.
• Hula: Lilo’s passion. She is a dedicated hula student, and her performances often reflect her emotional state and connection to her Hawaiian culture.
• The Red Muumuu: Lilo’s iconic outfit, a traditional Hawaiian dress that she wears throughout the franchise.

Ultimately, Lilo Pelekai’s age—whether she is 6, 7, or 10—is a powerful narrative device. It grounds the fantastical elements of the story in the very real, very human experience of a child trying to find her place in the world. Her journey from a lonely 6-year-old to a mature 10-year-old Ambassador to Earth is a testament to the enduring power of 'Ohana' and the unconditional love she offers to everyone she meets.