Looking for inspiration for a cosy film night with your feline friend? Our list of the 10 best cat films is packed with varied movie recommendations for every mood.
Grab your cat and a bowl of popcorn, and get ready for a pawsome film night.
Cat films: Huge Choice, Big-Screen Entertainment!
What could be better than enjoying a good film with your cat on your lap and your favourite snacks? But then it happens again: too much choice! There’s a huge selection of cat films out there, from live-action adaptations and Disney classics to anime highlights – there’s something for everyone, young and old alike.
We’ve put together a selection of the 10 best cat films of recent decades for you and your feline companion.
Nine Lives (2017)
Would you ever like to swap roles with your feline friend? Billionaire Tom Brand can’t imagine anything worse. Yet after a car accident, he suddenly finds himself trapped in the body of a tomcat.
Why it will make you laugh: Tom tries everything to regain his human form – not so easy without thumbs or the ability to speak. Luckily, the cat shares his thoughts with the audience, leading to plenty of laughs.
The story may not be entirely original and can be a little predictable in places. But if you enjoy light-hearted entertainment and a few good laughs, you’ll still have a great time.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
If you love New York, cats and classic films, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” comes highly recommended. Audrey Hepburn shot to Hollywood stardom with her role as Holly Golightly, and her outfits made her an enduring style icon.
Why cat lovers adore this film: The secret star of the film is Orangey, the ginger tabby house cat. He plays Holly’s unnamed companion. By the time “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was filmed, the cat was already a seasoned professional with an impressive ten years of experience in show business.
Orangey even received his second “PATSY Award” for his role in this classic film – the animal world’s equivalent of an Oscar. That final scene alone more than earned him the prize.
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
We’re staying in 1960s New York: that’s exactly where and when “Inside Llewyn Davis” is set. The film tells the story of a folk musician who scrapes by with occasional performances. One day, by chance, he finds himself with the company of a ginger tabby cat.
Behind the scenes: Directors Joel and Ethan Coen described their experience filming with cats very humorously in an interview. In short, the shoot was a nightmare for them, because they discovered what cat lovers have always known: cats never do what you want them to.
So why include a cat at all? Because at some point, the Coens realised the plot was rather thin. They hoped a cat might save it. Spoiler alert: it was a brilliant idea!
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)
“The Electrical Life of Louis Wain” tells the story of a very special cat lover: Benedict Cumberbatch plays the British artist Louis Wain, who lived in the late 19th and early 20th century and became famous for his drawings and comics of anthropomorphised cats.
What makes the film special: Louis Wain took in a cat at a time when keeping cats at home was still unusual in England. His love for the four-legged animals was expressed not only through living with a stray cat, but also through his artwork. In turn, Wain’s painting style became increasingly influenced by his mental health. This film is a must-see not just for cat lovers, but also for fans of art and powerful character studies.
Cat’s Eye (1985)
“Cat’s Eye”, on the other hand, gave cinema audiences pleasant chills back in the 1980s. From today’s perspective, though, the anthology film about quitting smoking, fear of heights and annoying trolls is more entertaining than frightening – even if two of the stories were written by horror master Stephen King.
Why the film is worth watching: “Cat’s Eye” features not only a young Drew Barrymore, but also a tabby house cat. On set, the role was played by a total of twelve different feline actors.
The cat, who gains the name General over the course of the film, ties the stories together and takes you on his journey through the city streets. Whether he’s friend or foe remains unclear right until the end.
Alien (1979)
We’ll stay in the world of scares for a little longer: for many people, “Alien” is still a terrifying film today. It follows the crew of the spaceship Nostromo after a stop on a small planet leaves them battling an alien infestation.
Worth watching in every respect: In “Alien”, Sigourney Weaver became the first woman to play the lead role in an action film. Just as strong and courageous as her character Ripley is Jones, the ship’s cat – perhaps the most famous science-fiction cat in film history.
Together, they fight for survival against a backdrop created by sculptor H.R. Giger. Even more than 40 years after its cinema release, the design and effects are still incredibly impressive.
Garfield: The Movie (2004)
After our trip into the past and the depths of space, we return to reality. Waiting for us there is Garfield – the tabby cat who hates Mondays and loves lasagne first became famous as a comic-strip character and was brought to the screen in animated form in 2004.
For true cat lovers only: Making live-action films based on beloved comic characters is always a risk. That’s why “Garfield: The Movie” received plenty of criticism. Cat lovers, however, won’t mind and will happily spend 77 entertaining minutes with the grumpy tabby.
By the way, the film is best watched in English: in the original version, Bill Murray provides Garfield’s voice.
Puss in Boots (2011)
Sticking with animated films: after stealing our hearts in “Shrek”, Puss in Boots got his own spin-off. The film sheds light on the backstory of the ginger tomcat, whose fiery accent in the original version comes courtesy of Antonio Banderas.
Is the film worth it? Absolutely! Puss in Boots was a huge box-office success and won over audiences not least thanks to his irresistibly adorable kitten eyes.
Admittedly, many of the references will appeal mainly to cat lovers – but if you get them, you’re guaranteed a good time.
The Aristocats (1970)
When it comes to the best animal films of all time, no matter the genre, Disney simply has to be included. Probably the best-known cat film from Walt Disney Studios is “The Aristocats”: it’s a story about an inheritance, a greedy butler and a cat family unwillingly swept into a grand adventure.
An absolute classic: Although the animated film is now more than 50 years old, it hasn’t lost any of its charm. Some critics complain that the story feels cobbled together from other Disney films. But the lovable characters and sheer fun of it more than make up for that.
The Cat Returns (2002)
Taking the top spot in our top 10 cat films is a hidden gem from Japan. This anime film tells the story of schoolgirl Haru, who unknowingly saves the life of a cat prince, drawing her into an unusual adventure.
What makes this cat film special: The story from Japan’s Studio Ghibli is told with plenty of imagination and affection, gradually becoming more surreal as it unfolds. For example, the cats in the film suddenly take on human traits and begin to speak.
Beneath the colourful surface, there’s also a coming-of-age story, making the film well worth watching for both young and old.
Where You Can Stream These Cat Films
Availability depends on the movie, so check multiple streaming platforms to see where it’s currently available.
And if you’re looking for more recommendations, you’ll find countless lists full of cat films on Letterboxd, where feline stars take centre stage. Why not take a look at this list of more than 100 cat films – you’re bound to discover at least one title you haven’t seen before.
This article was translated using Artificial Intelligence from the original German zooplus Magazine. While the original content was authored by industry experts and reviewed by our editorial team, this automated translation has not been human-edited and is provided for informational purposes.
