Stitch originated in 1985 as a character for a children's book pitch that went unproduced for over a decade before becoming the centerpiece of a major animated feature. This creation marked the start of a distinct career trajectory for the Colorado-born artist, who moved from traditional storyboard roles at Disney to directing large-scale animated features across major studios.
Early Development and Education
Born in Colorado Springs in 1962, Chris Sanders developed a fascination with comics and film production during his youth. He utilized his father's Super 8 camera to experiment with single-frame techniques, laying the groundwork for his future work in animation. He attended Arvada High School, where he encountered resistance toward his interest in cartooning, before completing his formal training at the California Institute of the Arts in 1984.
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Sanders began his professional tenure at Walt Disney Studios as a character designer for Jim Henson's Muppet Babies. He eventually climbed to the position of head storyboard artist, contributing to productions including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Mulan. During this period, he authored The Big Bear Aircraft Company, an allegorical critique of Disney’s creative process that advocated for trusting visual artists and allowing more time for innovation rather than adhering to rigid formulas.
Directorial Breakthroughs
His directorial debut occurred with 2002's Lilo & Stitch, a project he co-wrote and co-directed with Dean DeBlois. Sanders drew from his earlier character concept and selected the setting of Kauaʻi for the story. Beyond directing, he provided the voice for the title character, a role he continued in subsequent Disney media. Following his transition to DreamWorks Animation in 2007, he directed titles including The Croods and How to Train Your Dragon, the latter being a significant entry in his collaborative filmography with DeBlois.
Expansion into Live-Action and Recent Works
Sanders transitioned into live-action filmmaking in 2020 with the adventure-drama The Call of the Wild. His recent animation projects include The Wild Robot, released in 2024 for DreamWorks. His current slate includes writing the sequel to The Wild Robot, alongside writing and directing duties for a live-action version of Lilo & Stitch for Walt Disney Studios.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Colorado Springs
- Education: Arvada High School, California Institute of the Arts
- Notable Works: Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon, The Croods, The Wild Robot
- Primary Studios: Walt Disney Studios (1980-2006), DreamWorks Animation (2007-present)
- Voice Role: Stitch
- Awards: Annie Award
Questions readers ask
Did Chris Sanders direct the live-action Lilo & Stitch?
As of 2026, he is writing and will be directing the live-action sequel for Walt Disney Studios.
Which major films has Chris Sanders directed?
His notable directing credits include Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon, The Croods, The Call of the Wild, and The Wild Robot.
Achievements
- Notable work: Lilo & Stitch
- Notable work: How to Train Your Dragon
- Notable work: The Wild Robot
- Notable work: Mulan
