“Lilo & Stitch” is one of the few PG movies now in theatrical release.

Of the hundreds of movies released as of June 4, only 34 were rated PG and only 11 were rated G.

For parents and guardians, “Lilo & Stitch” is a welcome respite from the MPAA R-rated and PG-13-rated movies that often dominate the movie theaters.

“Lilo & Stitch” has a certain charm, especially owing to its cute-ugly protagonist, Stitch, an alien, and his charge, a wise beyond her years six-year-old girl, and an older sister, who is her guardian.

We’ve seen many of these characters before. “Lilo & Stitch” is a live-action remake of the popular Walt Disney animation feature film of the same title, released in 2002, with animation feature film sequels in 2003, 2005 and 2006.

We’ve also seen many of these characters and concepts before in other movies.

The character of Stitch is a one-creature wrecking crew right out of “Gremlins” (1984; “Gremlins 2: The New Batch,” 1990).

The concept of a child befriending an alien is right out of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982).

The concept of a mischievous pet is right out of your house and a pet cat, dog or other domestic animal.

As Stitch is reminded, to paraphrase: “You’re not a bad person. You’re a person who sometimes does bad things.”

And therein is the plotline for “Lilo & Stitch”: understanding and forgiveness.

The overarching theme for “Lilo & Stitch” is that of family.

In “Lilo & Stitch,” Lilo Pelekai (an excellent Maia Kealoha in her feature film debut) is an orphaned native Hawaiian girl who is ostracized by her classmates.

After their parents die, older sister Nani Pelekai (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, “At Her Feet,” 2024; “West Michigan,” 2021) becomes Lilo’s guardian.

This creates tension between the two, as well as with Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere), a social worker for Child Protective Services.

When Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders) shows up, things get even more complicated.

Stitch is trailed by shape-shifters: Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis), the scientist who created Stitch, and Agent Wendell Pleakley (Billy Magnussen), from the United Galactic Federation. They are tasked by the federation’s Grand Councilwoman (voiced by Hannah Waddingham) to locate Stitch and return him.

This brings them and Stitch to the attention of CIA agent Cobra Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance).

Supporting characters include an elderly neighbor Hawaiian woman, Tūtū (Amy Hill), grandmother of David Kawena (Kaipo Dudoit), a Hawaiian performer at a tourist attraction.

Dean Fleischer Camp (Oscar nominee, animated feature film, “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” 2023) directs “Lilo & Stitch” with a sensitivity to characters and nuance from a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright (feature screenplay debut) and Mike Van Waes (screenwriter, “Dear David,” 2023) based on the 2002 “Lilo & Stitch” screenplay by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois.

The screenplay has serious moments, fun plot twists and out-loud laughs.

As with the original animated feature film, the soundtrack has snippets of Elvis Presley hits, sung by Elvis: “(You’re The) Devil in Disguise,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Stuck On You,” “Hound Dog” and “Suspicious Minds,” as well as traditional Hawaiian songs.

The puppet animation and the computer-generated imagery animation for Stitch is remarkable. The character Stitch blends in seamlessly with the actors.

The CGI animation for the aliens creates goofy and funny creatures.

The Hawaii setting provides nice tourist visuals of beach and ocean.

Key to the film’s success is Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as older sister Nani. She has a compelling and enjoyable screen presence.

“Lilo & Stitch” grossed $182.6 million for the four-day Memorial Day weekend, setting a record that beat “Top Gun: Maverick,” which opened with $160 million for the Memorial Day weekend 2022.

The mostly family-friendly “Lilo & Stitch” continued at No. 1 three weeks in row, fending off major contenders “Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning,” “Karate Kid: Legends” and “From The World of John Wick: Ballerina,” in that order.

If you are a fan of the original animated feature film, “Lilo & Stitch”; the director, Dean Fleischer Camp, and a feature film that won’t embarrass you and the children, “Lilo & Stitch” is a stitch in time.

“Lilo & Stitch,” MPAA Rated PG (Parental guidance suggested: Some material may not be suitable for children) for action, peril and thematic elements; Genre: Science Fiction, Action Comedy; Run Time: 1 hour, 48 minutes. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous: The “Lilo & Stitch” end credits include children’s drawings of the film’s characters and scenes. The movie was filmed on location in Hawaii.

At The Movies: “Lilo & Stitch” was seen in Dolby Cinema at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, June 13 - 15: “How to Train Your Dragon” opened at No. 1 with $83.7 million in 4,356 theaters, ending the three-week No. 1 run of “Lilo & Stitch,” dropping one place to No. 2 with $15.5 million in 3,675 theaters, $366.3 million, four weeks.

3. “Materialists,” starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal in the Romance Comedy, $12 million in 2,844 theaters, opening. 4. “Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning” dropped one place, $10.3 million in 2,942 theaters, $166.3 million, four weeks. 5.“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” dropped three places, $9.4 million in 3,409 theaters, $41.8 million, two weeks. 6. “Karate Kid: Legends” dropped two places, $5 million in 3,008 theaters, $44.1 million, three weeks. 7. “Final Destination: Bloodlines” dropped two places, $3.9 million in 2,138 theaters, $130.6 million, five weeks. 8. “The Phoenician Scheme” dropped two places, $3 million in 1,731 theaters, $12.8 million, three weeks. 9. “The Life of Chuck” moved up 10 places, $2.1 million in 1,072 theaters, $2.4 million, two weeks. 10. “Sinners” dropped one place, $1.4 million in 951 theaters, $273.4 million, nine weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of June 15 is subject to change.

Unreel, June 20:

“28 Years Later,” Rated R: Danny Boyle is back to direct Jack O’Connell, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes and Jodie Comer in the Zombie Horror Film. A survivor leaves the island to his horror. It’s a sequel to “28 Weeks Later” and “28 Days Later.” What next? “28 Decades Later”?

“Elio,” Rated PG: Adrian Molina, Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi direct the voice talents of Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Jameela Jamil and Kate Mulgrew in the Science-Fiction Animation film. Elio, a young space buff, discovers the real thing.

Movie opening information from Internet Movie Database as of June 15 is subject to change.