10 'Lilo & Stitch' TV Episodes That Prove It's a Show for Adults

If Lilo & Stitch’s new live-action remake made you cry your eyes out in theatres, that’s probably the most expected reaction that Disney’s most heartwarming story could ever get.

For the diehard fans, it’s not a secret that Lilo & Stitch isn’t just about the unlikely friendship between a Hawaiian girl and a blue koala-looking alien. It’s also a narrative which frequently provides themes and situations that will resonate more with adults rather than a much younger audience.

Initially confirmed by the first two animated movies, this was also followed in Lilo & Stitch’s TV series which might make you question things you never thought you’d question anyway.

Here are some of the best episodes which prove that Lilo & Stitch has never been a kids story.

Season 1 Episode 9 — Yin-Yang: Experiments 501 & 502

• IMDb rating: 7.7/10

What It’s About: In the episode, Lilo and Stitch have to find a way to bring balance between two completely different experiments: Yin, who is completely good, and Yang, who is completely evil.

What’s Mature: The story delves into the metaphor of inner balance, suggesting that one must admit they can’t be just good or just bad and thus have to accept both parts of their being.

Season 1 Episode 26 — Finder: Experiment 158

• IMDb rating: 7.9/10

What It’s About: The episode follows Finder, an experiment that can locate anyone, as it helps a man find his long-lost loved one.

What’s Mature: This episode evokes themes like memory and regret, as well as the emotional need to reconcile with one’s past to find the purpose of life.

Season 1 Episode 19 — 627: Experiment 627

• IMDb rating: 7.5/10

What It’s About: The episode sees Jumba having enough with Stitch’s ego and deciding to activate the latter’s successor who is much more evil and has no emotional weaknesses that Stitch has.

What’s Mature: The story alludes to the theme of imposter syndrome when one thinks someone else is better than them just because the latter’s flaws aren’t that obvious.

Season 1 Episode 1 — Richter: Experiment 513

• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

What It’s About: The show’s first episode witnesses a Richter causing earthquakes around the island, which prompts Lilo to think her actions triggered the creature.

What’s Mature: With Lilo learning that she’s not safe from making mistakes, the story addresses themes like guilt, accountability and self-awareness which are questioned by those adults that can’t deal with their own missteps.

Season 1 Episode 12 — Amnesio: Experiment 303

• IMDb rating: 8.0/10

What It’s About: The episode introduces Amnesio that completely erases Lilo and Stitch’s memories about each other, which means they have to rediscover their identities and bond again to defeat the evil experiment.

What’s Mature: The story delves into the matter of human memory that defines one as a person — or maybe not.

Season 1 Episode 30 — Angel: Experiment 624

• IMDb rating: 8.0/10

What It’s About: The episode witnesses Stitch falling in love with Angel (Experiment 624), a charming female experiment who sings a song that turns other experiments evil.

What’s Mature: By showing Stitch’s struggles to choose between passion and duty, the episode evokes themes like love and responsibility, as well as toxic relationships and emotional manipulation.

Season 1 Episode 22 — Melty: Experiment 228

• IMDb rating: 7.6/10

What It’s About: The episode introduces another experiment called Melty who makes things disintegrate once it touches them, which makes Stitch stay away from Melty as he’s afraid it might hurt both him and Lilo.

What’s Mature: The episode reflects on the matter of isolation and loneliness, as well as being treated like a danger just for existing.

Season 1 Episode 5 — Spooky: Experiment 300

• IMDb rating: 7.4/10

What It’s About: The episode sees another experiment called Spooky turning into people’s worst fears, with Stitch being forced to overcome his own trauma to defeat Spooky.

What’s Mature: The story comes as a metaphor for struggles with personal demons, PTSD and emotional traumas.

Season 1 Episode 38 — Bad Stitch

• IMDb rating: 7.6/10

What It’s About: The episode follows the same storyline that the second animated movie was based on, with Stitch believing that he’s getting back to his evil nature and destroying everything around.

What’s Mature: The story reflects on themes like self-doubt and redemption which are integral parts of someone’s battle with mental health issues.

Season 1 Episode 29 — Short Stuff: Experiment 297

• IMDb rating: 7.8/10

What It’s About: The episode follows Lilo as she and Stitch visit a carnival where an experiment called Shortstuff makes everyone short-tempered.

What’s Mature: The story delves into themes like stress, fatigue and burnout that can push people to their limits and hurt the ones they love the most.