An evil creator has created a little creature by genetic experimentation. The creator and creature are sent to prison. The creature escapes and heads for Earth where he tries to impersonate a dog. Bent on self preservation, he plans to use a human shield to protect him from the aliens sent to recapture him. Earth girl, Lilo, adopts the 'dog,' gives him the name Stitch, and actually developes an emotional attachment to the little creature. Lilo's dysfunctional family consists only of her sister Nani, but the two are about to be ripped apart by social worker Cobra Bubbles. Stitch, as the new family member, brings quite some action into all their lives, and after a while not even the aliens can recognize their former target.