The 20 Greatest Cat Movies of All Time

There are big cats and small cats. We have cats who are evil, sweet, snarky, or grumpy. Unfortunately, when it comes time to make movies about our feline friends, they don’t get the same attention as dogs.

We’ve put together a list of some of the best and worst movies featuring cats. We have tried to only include films in which the cat is either the main character or integral to the plot and characters.

We’ve added an “honorable” mention section at the end of this list. All of these cats were not featured in the film but played a significant role.

Here are 20 of our favorite cat movies in chronological order.

1. Rhubarb (1951)

This movie also has the same name as the cat. Orangey played the role of Rhubarb, a famous ginger, a short-haired cat who appeared in many TV shows and movies, including Batman and The Dick Van Dyke Show. This comedy tells the story of a rich owner who gives his cat Rhubarb an inheritance that includes a professional baseball team.

2. The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963)

Another ginger cat stars in this Walt Disney film. The story revolves around a Scottish girl, Thomasina, and her cat who died early in the movie. Thomasina’s second life begins when a young witch restores her through compassion. It’s a movie about trust and family, and the love for a cat is at its core.

3. The Incredible Journey (1963).

It is a true story of two dogs, a Siamese named Tao and a cat who are separated by accident from their owners. This is an older Disney film that relied on a narrator instead of CGI or animation. The majority of the movie is spent on the animals surviving and trying to find their way home.

4. That Darn Cat (1965).

It’s an old movie, but a good one. There is mystery, intrigue, and a Siamese kitten. Haley Mills stars in this 1960s young adult movie, which features a kidnapping and the F.B.I. as well as some crazy antics. The 1997 remake starred Christina Ricci but didn’t capture the charm of the original.

5. The Aristocrats (1997)

Walt Disney strikes once again! This animated film revolves around some very spoiled Parisian kittens and cats. The butler of a wealthy family kidnaps them and drops them off in the country after hearing that the cats would inherit the fortune. O’Malley, a charming tomcat, takes in the cat’s family. In addition to the animals, he brings back the family to Paris. The Aristocats is full of adventure, comedy, and jazz, making it a great romp for cat lovers!

6. Harry and Tonto (1974)

This movie is about the friendship of Harry (played by Art Carney) with Tonto, a ginger short-haired cat. Harry, a retired school teacher, takes Tonto across the United States in order to find a place to live and visit his children. Art Carney, the actor, bonded with Tonto, and became a cat lover because of his love for him.

7. The Cat From Outer Space (1978).

Disney returns with another family comedy featuring a cat who is an alien. The cat, Jake (sort of), is an Abyssinian and has a collar that lets him speak to humans. Jake is helped by Ken Berry to repair his ship and return home.

8. Oliver & Company, 1988

Disney has released an animated version of the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. The story is about a homeless cat who meets a pack of dogs who steal to survive. The voices of Bette Midler and Billy Joel are featured in this family-friendly film. It is a charming and fun romp using a cat to tell an old tale.

9. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993).

The animals are speaking in the remake of Incredible Journey. Sassy is the name of the cat, a Himalayan Himalayan who is voiced by Sally Field. This is a great family movie. It’s funny, and it doesn’t require you to keep a box of tissues nearby.

10. Hocus Pocus (1993)

Who hasn’t watched this film around Halloween? Binx is a boy that was enchanted by a cat named Binx. The film is about the Sanderson sister’s witches. Binx is a black short-haired cat. (Can’t have a movie about witches without a cat?). A spooky tale, humor, a cat that talks, and action! Best family Halloween movie ever!

11. Stuart Little (1999).

Michael J. is the voice of Stuart Little, a mouse. Fox. Snowbell, however, plays a significant role in the movie. Nathan Lane voices a white Persian cat in this live-action film. He’s jealous of Stuart Little being adopted by his family. Smokey, the leader of the feral cat population, is portrayed as a bad-to-the-bone feline. Monty, the goofy cat, also appears in the film. There’s also a sequel.

12. Cats & Dogs (2001)

Most kids would list this as their favorite movie, even if many adults don’t. The cats try to stop a scientist, played by Jeff Goldblum, from developing a cure for allergies in dogs. This will make dogs more popular than cats. It’s now a war between dogs and cats, with the evil cats plotting to destroy the dogs. Typical. This is a stereotype that seems to be used far too frequently. This franchise has two sequels.

13. Shrek 2 (2004) and the third (2007). Forever After (2010). Puss In Boots (2011).

This list is a compilation of 4 films since they all feature the same character: Puss in Boots. (Antonio Banderas provides the voice). Puss in Boots, the ginger cat, is actually a surprise. Puss, along with the amazing Donkey, is one of Shrek’s sidekicks and is based on a fairytale. He’s a mix of Indiana Jones, Zorro, and Cattitude.

14. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

The Coen Brothers’ black comedy-drama follows Llewyn, a merchant seaman who is pursuing his career as a folk musician in New York City. The film is a long one in which he spends time trying to get a ginger kitten, Ulysses back to his friends.

15. Keanu (2016)

Keanu Reeves does not appear in this film. Actually, it’s his voice. The Keanu of this film is a cute tabby kitten with a drag. The comedy is written by Jordan Peele, and Keegan Michael Key plays the cousins who lost Keanu to a criminal. As the cousins try to retrieve the kitten that everyone fell in love with, the usual zaniness takes place. Can you blame them for their actions?

16. A Street Cat Named Bob (2016)

Based on the book and true story of James Bowen, a homeless drug addict and busker whose life changed when a ginger kitten named Bob entered his life. James, a recovering heroin addict, was trying to get better when he came across a cat that had been injured. James decided to take care of the cat. The real James said that Bob was the one who saved his life. This beautiful story is rooted in the love and friendship we have for our cats.

17. A Whisker Away – 2020

This movie isn’t about a cat at all, but about a girl that turns into one. This anime movie is based in Japan and tells the story of Miyo, who is a junior-high student with an unrequited love for a fellow student named Kento. Miyo discovers a mask that allows her to turn into a kitten, and she uses it to attract Kento’s interest. She risks becoming a cat for life if she uses the mask.

Not-The-Best-But-Still-Stars-Cats Movies

We couldn’t help but include a few films in our “best cat movies”. Although not all of the movies in this list are perfect, some may be perfect for children.

These are three movies with cats, but not necessarily the “best” kind. If you like any of these films, then no judgment is necessary. All of us love different things.

18. Garfield (2004)

Garfield has been around for about 43 years. This ginger cat (yep another orange cat), who loves lasagna but hates Mondays, was featured in several newspapers. In 2004, Bill Murray was the voice of Garfield in the first Garfield movie. Garfield is a great comic book, but unfortunately, the movie version didn’t work out well.

19. Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Movie (2014)

We love Grumpy Cat! Tardar Sauce is adorable, but it’s a little sour. How could anyone not like that? Her movie was not as good, even though she had a lot of success online and in memes. Most likely, many will enjoy the movie even if it’s just to see Grumpy Cat.

20. Cats (2022)

Last but not least, we have Cats, the musical that has been criticized to no end. This movie might have been more enjoyable if real cats had been used. Or if the movie was animated. If it had stayed on stage. It belongs there.

Honorable Mentions

There are some cats that didn’t make it into the film because they were not as prominent as they should have been, but they still had a memorable (or two) moment.

Lady and the Tramp (1955)

This is a film about dogs. Then there are those Siamese kittens – Si and Am. They sing the song, too. Let’s be honest, Lady wouldn’t have met Tramp if they weren’t there. So let’s give them a round of applause!

Meet the Parents 2000

Jinx, a beautiful Himalayan, provides many comedic moments for the Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro movie series. The series begins with Meet the Parents and then continues with two more movies. Is anyone for milking a kitten?

Alien (1979)

Jones, A.K.A. Jonesy is another ginger character who was not given much screen time in Alien but played a significant role. Sigourney weaver Ripley spends a great deal of effort to save Jones. She even risks her own life.

Coraline (2009)

The cat in Coraline is based on Neil Gaiman’s novel of the same name. It guides Coraline through her journey, which takes place in a scary but somehow ideal version of her home. This cat is a sarcastic friend who assists Coraline whenever she’s in trouble.

Captain Marvel 2022

Goose is, as you might have guessed, a ginger. She is also the reason Nick Fury wears a patch over his eye. She may not belong on the list because she is technically an alien known as a Flerken but why?

Harry Potter (2001 & 2002)

Mrs. Norris, a tabby cat with long hair and glowing red eyes, belongs to Argus Filch, Hogwarts’ cantankerous caretaker. In the books, she is described quite differently (dusty fur, scrawny, and with yellow eyes). In the movies, Mrs. Norris doesn’t really do much (she’s basically a spy for Filch), however, we loved Harry Potter and wanted to include her on this list.

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

The Cheshire Cat has a famous smile, and is pink, with stripes of purple, glowing yellow, and golden eyes. Alice is guided by him, but he also makes her unhappy when he’s amused.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s ( 1961)

Orangey is the cat that played “Cat”. He won both the PATSY Award for Rhubarb as well as Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Cat is a symbol for Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly character and has never been given a real name.

Pet Sematary (1989 & 2022)

In 1989, a British Blue played the role of Winston Churchill. The family cat, nicknamed Church, starts out as a nice cat, but after watching the Pet Sematary he becomes a nasty and vicious cat.

Church was played by a tabby Main Coon in the remake, which came out just a few months ago. The personality is the same, of course.

The Secret Life of Pets 2016

Chloe is an obese grey tabby cat who can be sarcastic at times and appears to be indifferent but ends up standing up against her friends.

The conclusion of the article is:

What have we learned so far? What have we learned? Orangey may have started the trend. Orangey was an award-winning cat who won two awards considered to be the animal equivalent of the Oscar.

While cats are often portrayed as evil, snarky, or rude, they can also be given roles that show off their unique personalities.

This is a niche that needs to be filled, given the current popularity of cats and the absence of films starring them.

We hope that you have found some inspiration for your next movie evening. You’ll find something for everyone, regardless of age or level of cat love.