Feline Actors: Our 20 Favourite Motion pictures Starring Cats!

Whereas I typically 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 principle character. Possibly it’s as a result of cats are little prima donnas. They need to do what they need to do, after they need to do it. Coaching a cat to carry out is arguably tougher than coaching animals which can be extra common in films, resembling 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 forged as villains. You’ll be hard-pressed to discover a film that includes different frequent home cats resembling a calico or blue tabby.

Subsequent time you’re trying to find good titles to place in your watchlist, listed below are 20 movies starring cats, from basic 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 Motion pictures Starring Cats:

1. A Road 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 quilt, 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 based mostly 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 offer 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.

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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 Road Cat Named Bob for this text. I’m including A Christmas Reward from Bob to my Christmas watch checklist, though speculating from the opinions, I doubt it’s going to examine to the primary film. The storyline sounds just 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 girl 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 basic options the well-known “All people Needs to Be a Cat” music, and also you’ll be singing your arpeggios for no less than every week after you watch it since the entire 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 basic manages to comply with an actual cat (truly, a number of) across the set whereas telling a tremendous 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 bear in mind her previous. It’s a heartbreaking story of reconciliation, folklore, and religion that’s price revisiting together with your cat.

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5. That Darn Cat! (1965)

I’m undecided 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 a bit of tacky to trendy audiences, however no less than 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 truth, 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 basic 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 reworked 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 a protracted, way back, moviegoers have been newly intrigued by a galaxy far, far-off. It seems that Disney tried to trip 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 akin 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 bear 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 technology. On this model, Azrael is definitely a combination of transient photographs of actual cats overlayed with animation for extra advanced scenes and facial expressions. It doesn’t precisely look life like, but it surely’s satisfactory.

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11. Cinderella (1950)

Everybody is aware of the fairytale story of Cinderella, the abused step daughter who’s pressured 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, obese 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 basic Charles Dickens story by that includes orphan cats and canine as the principle 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 “discuss.”

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13. Cats & Canines (2001)

The final word cat spy film, Cats & Canines is a beloved child’s film that’s riddled with intrigue. Nevertheless, it’s a bit of wacky to observe as an grownup.

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14. Harry & Tonto (1974)

Whereas many of the cat films are geared in 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 mates and remaining 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 struggle 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.

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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, can even 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 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 have been intentionally maimed. Even the trailer is traumatic to observe, 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 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. The entire different crew have been grossly killed by the phallic xenomorph. Trendy followers of the cult basic attest that Jonesy is in truth a Flerken.

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19. Homeward Certain: The Unbelievable Journey (1993)

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 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 “converse.” It’s a heat and fuzzy 90s basic that’s positive to please you and your cat, to not point out the surroundings is gorgeous.

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20. The 9 Lives of Christmas (2014)

In case you fall for Hallmark Christmas films, 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 prepared to let a lady in, too. Like each Hallmark film, this one comes with the promise of loads of vacation cheer, and there’s even a 2022 sequel referred to as The 9 Kittens of Christmas.

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Conclusion

Few films function cats, and never all are winners. Nevertheless, there are a number of favorites on my checklist, resembling The Aristocats and The Road Cat Named Bob. In case you’re feeling adventurous, you possibly can check out one thing new like Keanu or maybe a mid-century film that’s new to you, resembling The Three Lives of Thomasina. In case you 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’re on your personal furry star.

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Featured Picture Credit score: bombermoon, Shutterstock

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