At this point, the general public has come to expect a particular type of animation style from upcoming Disney films, based on computer animation. While House of Mouse never ceases to bring a smile to my face with each new release, I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the 2D animation style I grew up with. If you feel the same way, let me point you in a direction lilo and stitch The short hits theaters this fall, as it utilizes that classic style beautifully.
CinemaBlend had the chance to visit Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, CA in September, and we were blown away by the screening. lilo and scratch. This is a short film that will play before the studio’s next film, hexagonal. And, you all have to see it! Watching the 2D animated Disney film again on the big screen, I felt like I was transported back to my childhood. Here is the poster:
The short film uses the 2D animation style of the original 2002 film to tell a sweet and hilarious short story of an anarchic pink cat (who may be related to Stitch) joining the Pelekai household. It’s always fun to see Stitch go crazy with anything, and watching him fight against the small but mighty Scratch is a great time. And, yes, Chris Sanders reprises Stitch in live-action lilo and stitch Actress Maia Kealoha steps into the recording booth to voice Lilo.
The studio came into the pipeline from a lot of people who wanted to work on it, and they said, ‘Will it be this or will it be that?’ And we were like, ‘What if this is everything?’ If you want to work on this short film, you can. And, we built pipelines to accommodate them all. This is so much fun.
I love hearing about Disney animators coming together lilo and stitch For life as we remember it. And this isn’t the first time the studio has used 2D animation in recent years. A few years ago, Disney’s Desire Was heavily influenced by the short as well as the hand-drawn animation Once Upon a StudioWhich was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company.
So, of course, I had to ask the question: could Disney make a feature film with this pipeline? Jason Hand, co-director hexagonal and previously co-ruled Moana 2It had this to say:
I mean, we use 2D in our movie [Hexed]. The opening is a hand made part. So, I think whoever tells the story best, I am open to it.
How great is it that 2D animation has a big presence again at Walt Disney Animation? Not only that, but its mere existence lilo and scratch It also reminds of the good old days of watching the shorts before Disney movies. This is something that hasn’t happened since Encanto Back in 2021.
Simply put, anyone who grew up with early Disney movies should see this lilo and scratch Together hexagonalWhen the latter arrives on the 2026 movie schedule on November 25th. I not only hope that fans will enjoy the short film but that it will also start a new wave of 2D-animated productions.