Feline Actors: Our 20 Favourite Films Starring Cats!

Whereas I usually watch films with my cats, it’s a uncommon deal with to discover a film that includes felines. Canine films 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 primary character. Perhaps it’s as a result of cats are little prima donnas. They wish to do what they wish to do, after they wish to do it. Coaching a cat to carry out is arguably tougher than coaching animals which are extra fashionable in films, equivalent to canine 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 solid as villains. You’ll be hard-pressed to discover a film that includes different frequent home cats equivalent to a calico or blue tabby.

Subsequent time you’re trying to find good titles to place in your watchlist, listed here are 20 movies starring cats, from traditional kids’s films to horror. Most of those titles are centered round a human topic, however all have some feline drama thrown in.

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Prime 20 Films Starring Cats:

1. A Avenue Cat Named Bob (2016)

My cats and I watched this film round Christmas time final 12 months. Though it seems 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 help his new dad’s busking to ensure that them to each have a extra snug future.

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2. A Christmas Reward from Bob (2020)

To be trustworthy, 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 Reward 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 preventing to remove Bob at Christmastime.

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3. The Aristocats (1970)

Three spoiled kittens and their mama relaxation within the luxurious caresses of their wealthy widow woman in Paris…till the evil butler decides to kidnap them after listening to that the cats have been to inherit all the things as soon as Madame passes away. The animated Disney traditional options the well-known “All people Needs to Be a Cat” music, and also you’ll be singing your arpeggios for at the least every 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.

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4. The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963)

I’m so impressed with the filmmakers and animals on this Disney nugget. Made lengthy earlier than animatronics, this 1963 traditional manages to observe an actual cat (really, a number of) across the set whereas telling an incredible story via voice-over narration. A younger Scottish woman 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 together with your cat.

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5. That Darn Cat! (1965)

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 remedy a case and rescues a kidnapped financial institution teller. In fact, it was made throughout the golden age of Disney, and could seem slightly tacky to trendy audiences, however at the least there’s a intelligent cat to get pleasure from if the human facet proves missing. I haven’t seen the 1997 remake with Christiana Ricci, however most reviewers say it falls flat.

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6. Captain Marvel (2019)

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

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7. Nationwide Lampoon’s Christmas Trip (1989)

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

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8. 9 Lives (2016)

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 a substitute.

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9. The Cat from Outer House (1978)

In a 12 months an extended, way back, moviegoers have been newly intrigued by a galaxy far, distant. It seems that Disney tried to experience Lucas’s profitable coattails lengthy earlier than they acquired the Star Wars franchise by releasing this sci-fi cat film a 12 months after A New Hope was launched. Whereas it clearly didn’t win any of the accolades corresponding to Star Wars, I’d be prepared to place it on my watchlist.

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10. The Smurfs (2011)

Youngsters who watched cartoons within the 70s keep in mind the evil wizard Gargamel and his sneaky feline assistant Azrael who at all times 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 sensible, nevertheless it’s satisfactory.

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11. Cinderella (1950)

Everybody is aware of the fairytale story of Cinderella, the abused step daughter who’s compelled to prepare dinner and clear for her ungrateful stepfamily till she’s whisked away to the ball. Nevertheless, the Disney cartoon ornaments 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.

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12. Oliver & Firm (1988)

This Disney cartoon from the 80s places a twist on the traditional Charles Dickens story by that includes orphan cats and canine as the primary characters as a substitute of people. Oliver himself is an cute orange tabby cat who likes to sing. Curiously sufficient, orange tabbies are typically very vocal cats who like to “speak.”

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13. Cats & Canine (2001)

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

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14. Harry & Tonto (1974)

Whereas many of the cat films are geared in the direction of kids, Harry and Tonto tells the story of an aged man who travels cross-country along with his cat as they spend the ultimate years of their lives collectively. It’s nearly a reverse coming-of-age story, as Harry makes peace with previous pals 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.

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15. Keanu (2016)

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 characteristic is supposed for grownup and cat eyes solely.

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16. Harry Potter (2001-2011)

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, may 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.

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17. The Adventures of Milo & Otis (1986)

The American model of this film is definitely 13 minutes shorter than the Japanese unique. 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 seems like a heartwarming story, the filming has obtained extreme criticism about animal cruelty on set. Allegedly, over 20 animals died throughout filming, and a few have been intentionally maimed. Even the trailer is traumatic to look at, as it seems that the canine is dropped into the river towards its will and the cat floats down rapids in nothing however a picket field.

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18. Alien (1979)

When Ripley pilots the united statesS. 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 traditional attest that Jonesy is actually a Flerken.

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19. Homeward Sure: The Unimaginable Journey (1993)

When a household leaves their pets behind on trip, the animals determine they have to run away and journey via hills and dale to reunite with those they love. Sassy the Himalayan cat is voiced by Sally Discipline. Thankfully, this film was made in the USA 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 “communicate.” It’s a heat and fuzzy 90s traditional that’s certain to please you and your cat, to not point out the surroundings is beautiful.

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20. The 9 Lives of Christmas (2014)

Should you fall for Hallmark Christmas films, this cute animal story will entertain you and your feline as you keep heat across the hearth sipping sizzling cocoa (not your cat, in fact). A bachelor named Zachary permits a stray cat into his life and is compelled to determine whether or not he’s prepared 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.

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Conclusion

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

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Featured Picture Credit score: bombermoon, Shutterstock

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