Feline Actors: Our 20 Favourite Films Starring Cats!

Whereas I typically watch motion pictures with my cats, it’s a uncommon deal with to discover a film that includes felines. Canine motion pictures abound (anyone nonetheless maintaining with the unending Air Buddies collection?), however you received’t discover many with cats, and even fewer with cats as the principle character. Perhaps it’s as a result of cats are little prima donnas. They need to do what they need to do, once they need to do it. Coaching a cat to carry out is arguably tougher than coaching animals which are extra common in motion pictures, corresponding to canines and horses.

It’s additionally attention-grabbing to notice that orange tabbies reign supreme in Hollywood, adopted by Siamese cats and black cats. Sadly, Siamese cats and black cats are sometimes forged as villains. You’ll be hard-pressed to discover a film that includes different widespread home cats corresponding to a calico or blue tabby.

Subsequent time you’re looking for good titles to place in your watchlist, listed below are 20 movies starring cats, from basic kids’s motion pictures to horror. Most of those titles are centered round a human topic, however all have some feline drama thrown in.


High 20 Films Starring Cats:

1. A Avenue Cat Named Bob (2016)

Score: NR
Working Time: 1 hr. 43 min.

My cats and I watched this film round Christmas time final yr. Though it appears to be like like a Christmas film from the duvet, it isn’t as a lot of a blatantly festive movie as its sequel. It’s my private favourite cat film as a result of it’s primarily based on a real story about an actual cat named Bob—who additionally stars as himself within the movie! The story facilities round a homeless drug addict who’s struggling to show his life round, till he meets an orange tabby named Bob. Not solely does he have somebody to supply for, Bob repays his kindness by drawing individuals to purchase his dad’s newspapers and assist his new dad’s busking to ensure that them to each have a extra snug future.


2. A Christmas Present from Bob (2020)

Score: NR
Working Time: 1 hr. 32 min.

To be sincere, I didn’t know there was a sequel till I used to be researching A Avenue Cat Named Bob for this text. I’m including A Christmas Present from Bob to my Christmas watch checklist, though speculating from the evaluations, I doubt it should examine to the primary film. The storyline sounds much like the unique by going again to when Bob and James live on the road. The twist is that an animal welfare group is combating to remove Bob at Christmastime.


3. The Aristocats (1970)

Score: 1 hr. 32 min.
Working Time: 1 hr. 18 min.

Three spoiled kittens and their mama relaxation within the luxurious caresses of their wealthy widow girl in Paris…till the evil butler decides to kidnap them after listening to that the cats had been to inherit every little thing as soon as Madame passes away. The animated Disney basic options the well-known “All people Desires to Be a Cat” music, and also you’ll be singing your arpeggios for a minimum of per week after you watch it since all the tunes are so catchy. My first kitten, Satura, was captivated by the Thomas O’Malley music as a child, and has dreamed of being an alley cat ever since.


4. The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963)

Score: PG
Working Time: 1 hr. 37 min.

I’m so impressed with the filmmakers and animals on this Disney nugget. Made lengthy earlier than animatronics, this 1963 basic manages to comply with an actual cat (truly, a number of) across the set whereas telling an incredible story by way of voice-over narration. A younger Scottish lady treasures her orange tabby cat, Thomasina, however is devastated when her callous veterinarian father places her to sleep after she contracts an sickness. Thomasina is granted a second life by an Egyptian cat goddess that she meets within the afterlife, however she will’t keep in mind her previous. It’s a heartbreaking story of reconciliation, folklore, and religion that’s value revisiting along with your cat.


5. That Darn Cat! (1965)

Score: G
Working Time: 1 hr. 56 min.

I’m unsure if Hayley Mills or the cat is the true star of this family-friendly crime comedy. A Siamese cat helps an FBI agent clear up a case and rescues a kidnapped financial institution teller. After all, it was made through the golden age of Disney, and could appear just a little tacky to fashionable audiences, however a minimum of there’s a intelligent cat to take pleasure in if the human facet proves missing. I haven’t seen the 1997 remake with Christiana Ricci, however most reviewers say it falls flat.


6. Captain Marvel (2019)

Score: PG-13
Working Time: 2 hr. 3 min.

Feline or flerken, who cares? Goose in Captain Marvel is a vital a part of Brie Larson’s mission to avoid wasting the planet. Enjoyable reality, the feline actor’s title is Reggie and you may watch his movie interview here.


7. Nationwide Lampoon’s Christmas Trip (1989)

Score: PG-13
Working Time: 1 hr. 37 min.

Aunt Grace’s ill-fated cat solely provides to the household mayhem on this basic Christmas comedy. Simply don’t watch it whereas consuming Jello, otherwise you may fancy you style some Friskies.


8. 9 Lives (2016)

Score: PG
Working Time: 1 hr. 27. min.

A boring businessman with no time for his household is remodeled right into a cat, a lot to his utter dismay. Whereas I haven’t personally seen this film, it sounds just like the premise of Shaggy Canine, however with a cat as an alternative.


9. The Cat from Outer Area (1978)

Score: G
Working Time: 1 hr. 44 min.

In a yr a protracted, way back, moviegoers had been newly intrigued by a galaxy far, far-off. It seems that Disney tried to journey Lucas’s profitable coattails lengthy earlier than they acquired the Star Wars franchise by releasing this sci-fi cat film a yr after A New Hope was launched. Whereas it clearly didn’t win any of the accolades corresponding to Star Wars, I’d be keen to place it on my watchlist.


10. The Smurfs (2011)

Score: PG
Working Time: 1 hr. 43 min.

Children who watched cartoons within the 70s keep in mind the evil wizard Gargamel and his sneaky feline assistant Azrael who all the time helped him attempt to seize the Smurfs. The 2011 live-action film brings these characters to a brand new era. On this model, Azrael is definitely a mix of transient photographs of actual cats overlayed with animation for extra advanced scenes and facial expressions. It doesn’t precisely look practical, but it surely’s satisfactory.


11. Cinderella (1950)

Score: G
Working Time: 1 hr. 14 min.

Everybody is aware of the fairytale story of Cinderella, the abused step daughter who’s pressured to cook dinner and clear for her ungrateful stepfamily till she’s whisked away to the ball. Nevertheless, the Disney cartoon adorns the story with a mischievous, chubby black cat named Lucifer, who actually makes an attempt to make Cinderella’s life resemble Hell on Earth till her prince arrives.


12. Oliver & Firm (1988)

Score: G
Working Time: 1 hr. 14 min.

This Disney cartoon from the 80s places a twist on the basic Charles Dickens story by that includes orphan cats and canines as the principle characters as an alternative of people. Oliver himself is an lovely orange tabby cat who likes to sing. Apparently sufficient, orange tabbies are typically very vocal cats who like to “discuss.”


13. Cats & Canine (2001)

Score: PG
Working Time: 1 hr. 27 min.

The last word cat spy film, Cats & Canine is a beloved child’s film that’s riddled with intrigue. Nevertheless, it’s just a little wacky to look at as an grownup.


14. Harry & Tonto (1974)

Score: R
Working Time: 1 hr. 55 min.

Whereas many of the cat motion pictures are geared in the direction of kids, Harry and Tonto tells the story of an aged man who travels cross-country together with his cat as they spend the ultimate years of their lives collectively. It’s virtually a reverse coming-of-age story, as Harry makes peace with outdated buddies and closing goodbyes. Nevertheless, being a drama-comedy it’s removed from somber with colourful language and risque humor all through, making it unsuitable for younger audiences.


15. Keanu (2016)

Score: R
Working Time: 1 hr. 40 min.

No, this isn’t a documentary about Keanu Reeves. Two cousins undertake a cat and title him Keanu, however then should battle native gang members who additionally declare possession. Rated R for language, violence, medicine, and sexuality/nudity, this function is supposed for grownup and cat eyes solely.


16. Harry Potter (2001-2011)

Score: PG and PG-13
Working Time: Varies

There are a number of cat characters who play on this magical kids’s collection, however most notably Mrs. Norris. One of many solely Maine Coons who’s starred in movies, Mrs. Norris prowls round Hogwarts ensuring all the scholars keep in line. The legendary Maggie Smith, who performs Professor McGonagall, also can morph right into a tabby cat. Additional alongside within the collection, we’re launched to an orange, long-haired Persian cat named Crookshanks, Hermione’s new cat.


17. The Adventures of Milo & Otis (1986)

Score: G
Working Time: 1 hr. 16 min.

The American model of this film is definitely 13 minutes shorter than the Japanese authentic. It’s a friendship story about an orange tabby and a pug who develop up on a farm collectively and are tragically separated. They’ll cross land and sea simply to see one another once more. Whereas it feels like a heartwarming story, the filming has acquired extreme criticism about animal cruelty on set. Allegedly, over 20 animals died throughout filming, and a few had been intentionally maimed. Even the trailer is traumatic to look at, as it seems that the canine is dropped into the river in opposition to its will and the cat floats down rapids in nothing however a wood field.


18. Alien (1979)

Score: R
Working Time: 1 hr. 57 min.

When Ripley pilots the usS. Sulaco on the finish of the film, the one different lone survivor is the crew cat, Jonesy. All the different crew have been grossly killed by the phallic xenomorph. Fashionable followers of the cult basic attest that Jonesy is actually a Flerken.


19. Homeward Certain: The Unimaginable Journey (1993)

Score: G
Working Time: 1 hr. 24 min.

When a household leaves their pets behind on trip, the animals determine they need to run away and journey by way of hills and dale to reunite with those they love. Sassy the Himalayan cat is voiced by Sally Discipline. Luckily, this film was made in america the place stricter humane legal guidelines existed than in Japan with the tragic filming of The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Plus, it’s earlier than the age of animatronics, so the animal’s faces don’t contort weirdly as they “converse.” It’s a heat and fuzzy 90s basic that’s certain to please you and your cat, to not point out the surroundings is gorgeous.


20. The 9 Lives of Christmas (2014)

Score: NR
Working Time: 1 hr. 26 min.

If you happen to fall for Hallmark Christmas motion pictures, this cute animal story will entertain you and your feline as you keep heat across the hearth sipping scorching cocoa (not your cat, in fact). A bachelor named Zachary permits a stray cat into his life and is pressured to determine whether or not he’s keen to let a girl in, too. Like each Hallmark film, this one comes with the promise of loads of vacation cheer, and there’s even a 2022 sequel known as The 9 Kittens of Christmas.


Conclusion

Few motion pictures function cats, and never all are winners. Nevertheless, there are just a few favorites on my checklist, corresponding to The Aristocats and The Avenue Cat Named Bob. If you happen to’re feeling adventurous, you may check out one thing new like Keanu or maybe a mid-century film that’s new to you, corresponding to The Three Lives of Thomasina. If you happen to and your cat merely want to relax, Homeward Certain or The 9 Lives of Christmas are heartwarming tales that ought to soothe you each and remind you of how grateful you might be on your personal furry star.


Featured Picture Credit score: bombermoon, Shutterstock

Concerning the writer