A Lilo & Stitch fan theory suggests that Nani and Lilo's parents were secretly CIA agents. Released in 2002, Lilo & Stitch is a beloved entry in Disney's animated movie library, even though it wasn't the massive success that the studio is known for delivering. The movie follows a six-year-old Lilo Pelekai as she adopts a blue chaotic alien, named Stitch, and is raised by her older sister Nani. Lilo & Stitch heavily revolves around the themes of family, as many Disney movies do, and incorporated Hawaiian ideas to put a fresh spin on them. The movie ultimately shows Lilo and Stitch form a bond as strong as that of family members, with Stitch ultimately saving Lilo from Captain Gantu.
The focus on family in Lilo & Stitch went a step further by including another staple of Disney movies: dead parents. The movie established a tragic backstory for Lilo and Nani where their parents died in the past during a car accident. This puts Nani in the position to raise Lilo and keep her safe, which is questioned by social worker Cobra Bubbles. Nani does her best to find work and give Lilo a good life, but Lilo & Stitch shows just how hard that can be. Many viewers, though, have wondered if there is really more to the story about Lilo and Nani's parents.
One theory about Lilo & Stitch, which is available on Disney+ alongside new shows, suggests that Lilo and Nani's parents were in the CIA. The reason for this theory isn't directly tied to what we know about their parents but rather the role that Cobra Bubbles plays. The end of Lilo & Stitch includes the reveal that he was a member of the CIA prior to becoming a social worker. This is a drastic career change considering Cobra has a history with alien activity, so why would he do so? This Lilo & Stitch theory posits that Cobra made the switch to look after Nani and Lilo because their parents were coworkers of his, so he's now doing everything he can to look after them and keep the sisters together. This could be why Cobra is willing to overlook so much about Lilo's upbringing; events that other social workers would immediately bring up as concerns.
The idea that Lilo and Nani's parents were undercover CIA agents, as Sharon Carter may be in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, could also explain other elements of the movie. Some viewers believe that Lilo's interest in photography is another clue. They believe that this trait was picked up from one of her parents, as they could've been photographing people for work with her around to keep a cover. There is even the belief that Lilo was tasked with taking pictures of certain people to cause even fewer suspicions. Lilo's parents being CIA agents might even provide a reason for the family's strange book collection. Stitch is shown skimming through books on eating fire, roadmaps of Iowa, and oyster farming. With this theory applied, Lilo & Stitch's random reading materials can be seen as research Mr. and Mrs. Pelekai did for different missions.
No one involved with Lilo & Stitch has addressed the accuracy of this theory so far. That leaves fans in a position where they can choose to believe the theory or not. It is a fascinating option to consider, and even opens up the possibility that Lilo and Nani's parents are still alive as part of a coverup. With a live-action Lilo & Stitch movie in development, perhaps that will include additional moments that support or contradict this theory.