Best Films Featuring Cats
Cats are my favorite animal species, and I love movies about them. These are films that are about cats, or films that had cats as a major part of the film. Either films or documentaries will be in this list. This list should be purr-fect.
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- DirectorRoger AllersRob MinkoffStarsMatthew BroderickJeremy IronsJames Earl JonesLion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself.Perhaps the best of the best in it's categories. Not just best film with cats, but best animation, and musical. The Lion King is monumental.
- DirectorJames HillTom McGowanStarsVirginia McKennaBill TraversGeoffrey KeenThe story of George and Joy Adamson and the orphaned lion cub, Elsa, they adopt.The story of Elsa the lioness (no not from Frozen) is a great one. And for the fact that it actually happened makes it more meaningful. Watch this film it will melt your heart.
- DirectorDereck JoubertStarsJeremy IronsFifty years ago there were close to half-a-million lions in Africa. Today there are around 20,000. To make matters worse, lions, unlike elephants, which are far more numerous, have virtually no protection under government mandate or through international accords. This is the jumping-off point for a disturbing, well-researched and beautifully made cri de coeur from husband and wife team Dereck and Beverly Joubert, award-winning filmmakers from Botswana who have been Explorers-in-Residence at National Geographic for more than four years. Pointing to poaching as a primary threat while noting the lion's pride of place on the list for eco-tourists-an industry that brings in 200 billion dollars per year worldwide-the Jouberts build a solid case for both the moral duty we have to protect lions (as well as other threatened "big cats," tigers among them) and the economic sense such protection would make. And when one takes into account the fact that big cats are at the very top of the food chain-and that their elimination would wreak havoc on all species below them, causing a complete ecosystem collapse-the need takes on a supreme urgency.While not true, the story of this lioness is also heartwarming. With her determination to raise her cubs and risk her life for theirs is awesome, and a true mother's love.
- DirectorAng LeeStarsSuraj SharmaIrrfan KhanAdil HussainA young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.This film while not mainly about tigers, it has a tiger that has a lot to do with what's going on. Pi and Richard Parker form a close bond and figure out they need each other to survive the scenario. So cats have a big part in this.
- DirectorJean-Jacques AnnaudStarsGuy PearceFreddie HighmoreJean-Claude DreyfusTwo tigers are separated as cubs and taken into captivity, only to be reunited years later as enemies by an explorer who inadvertently forces them to fight each other.A cute film fit for children and a great lesson of basically leave the wildlife be, and that animals deserve a place on Earth as much as we do. This films stars Guy Pearce and is directed by the guy who did Quest for Fire. You will not be disappointed.
- DirectorCarroll BallardStarsAlex MichaeletosCampbell ScottHope DavisAn orphaned cheetah becomes the best friend and pet of a young boy living in South Africa.A film about the fantastic relationship between a boy and a cheetah. I know we've seen many films about a boy and an animal, but with a cheetah, that's unique. This film is a pleasure to watch.
- DirectorKeith ScholeyAlastair FothergillStarsSamuel L. JacksonPatrick StewartMeet Mara, an endearing lion cub striving to be like her mother; Sita, a cheetah and single mother of five; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion.A nature documentary about lions and cheetahs with the Disney twist. What's more cool then that?
- DirectorChris MillerStarsAntonio BanderasSalma HayekZach GalifianakisAn outlaw cat, his childhood egg-friend, and a seductive thief kitty set out in search for the eggs of the fabled Golden Goose to clear his name, restore his lost honor, and regain the trust of his mother and town.The character we all know and love from the Shrek franchise. But he isn't the only cat running around, a kickass female cat named Kitty Softpaws also brings some cleverness to the film.
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsPhil HarrisEva GaborSterling HollowayWith the help of a smooth talking tomcat, a family of Parisian felines set to inherit a fortune from their owner try to make it back home after a jealous butler kidnaps them and leaves them in the country.A film all about our furry feline friends brought to us by Disney. This is actually very much like 101 Dalmatians but with cats. Awesome!
- DirectorRobert StevensonStarsHayley MillsDean JonesDorothy ProvineAfter a kidnapped bank teller uses a neighbor's wandering cat to send an S.O.S., the F.B.I. assigns a cat-allergic Agent to the case.A very clever and funny film with some unexpected moments with one of my favorite cats in a movie.
- DirectorSydney PollackStarsMeryl StreepRobert RedfordKlaus Maria BrandauerIn 20th-century colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness/plantation owner has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter.Lions do appear quite often in this film.
- DirectorAndrew AdamsonStarsTilda SwintonGeorgie HenleyWilliam MoseleyWhile playing, Lucy and her siblings find a wardrobe that lands them in a mystical place called Narnia. Here they realize that it was fated and they must now unite with Aslan to defeat an evil queen.Aslan...need I say more?
- DirectorAndrew AdamsonKelly AsburyConrad VernonStarsMike MyersEddie MurphyCameron DiazShrek and Fiona travel to the Kingdom of Far Far Away, where Fiona's parents are King and Queen, to celebrate their marriage. When they arrive, they find they are not as welcome as they thought they would be.The film that introduced Puss in Boots. He quickly became a sensation to many filmgoers.
- DirectorChris WedgeCarlos SaldanhaStarsDenis LearyJohn LeguizamoRay RomanoThe story revolves around sub-zero heroes: a woolly mammoth, a saber-toothed tiger, a sloth and a prehistoric combination of a squirrel and rat, known as Scrat.
- DirectorGeorge ScribnerStarsJoey LawrenceBilly JoelCheech MarinA lost and alone kitten joins a gang of dogs engaged in petty larceny in New York City.
- DirectorEric DarnellTom McGrathConrad VernonStarsBen StillerJada Pinkett SmithChris RockThe Madagascar animals join a struggling European circus to get back to New York, but find themselves being pursued by a psychotic animal-control officer.
- DirectorMark DindalStarsScott BakulaJasmine GuyNatalie ColeDanny, an ambitious singing and dancing cat, goes to Hollywood and overcomes several obstacles to fulfill his dream of becoming a movie star.Probably one of the more underrated films out there.
- DirectorAndrew AdamsonStarsBen BarnesSkandar KeynesGeorgie HenleyThe Pevensie siblings return to Narnia, where they are enlisted to once again help ward off an evil king and restore the rightful heir to the land's throne, Prince Caspian.
- DirectorMichael AptedStarsBen BarnesSkandar KeynesGeorgie HenleyLucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world.
- DirectorCarlos SaldanhaStarsRay RomanoJohn LeguizamoDenis LearyManny, Sid and Diego discover that the ice age is coming to an end, and join everybody for a journey to higher ground. On the trip, they discover that Manny is not in fact the last of the woolly mammoths.
- DirectorEric DarnellTom McGrathStarsChris RockBen StillerDavid SchwimmerA group of animals who have spent all their life in a New York zoo end up in the jungles of Madagascar, and must adjust to living in the wild.
- DirectorWinston HiblerStarsRon BrownBrian RussellLinda WallaceWhen a cougar raised by a group of loggers in the Pacific Northwest reverts to its natural instincts, the consequence could threaten its life.
- DirectorJohn LounsberyWolfgang ReithermanBen SharpsteenStarsSebastian CabotJunius MatthewsBarbara LuddyIn this collection of animated shorts based on the stories and characters by A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh, a honey-loving teddy bear, embarks on some eccentric adventures.Tigger is a tiger, fictionally.
- DirectorByron HowardChris WilliamsStarsJohn TravoltaMiley CyrusSusie EssmanThe canine star of a fictional sci-fi/action show that believes his powers are real embarks on a cross country trek to save his co-star from a threat he believes is just as real.
- DirectorTim McCanliesStarsHaley Joel OsmentMichael CaineRobert DuvallFourteen-year-old Walter Caldwell's irresponsible mother Mae sends him to live with his bachelor uncles, Hub and Garth, so that she can go on yet another husband-hunting trip.This is the only film that the cat isn't really the main or major character. However, lions play a significant role in the film. So it counts.
- DirectorCarlos SaldanhaMichael ThurmeierStarsRay RomanoJohn LeguizamoDenis LearyWhen Sid's attempt to adopt three dinosaur eggs gets him abducted by their real mother to an underground lost world, his friends attempt to rescue him.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsNeel SethiBill MurrayBen KingsleyAfter a threat from the tiger Shere Khan forces him to flee the jungle, a man-cub named Mowgli embarks on a journey of self discovery with the help of panther Bagheera and free-spirited bear Baloo.
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsPhil HarrisSebastian CabotLouis PrimaBagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization.This films involved Bagheera the Panther, and Shere Kahn the Tiger.
- DirectorEric DarnellTom McGrathStarsBen StillerChris RockDavid SchwimmerThe Madagascar animals fly back to New York City, but crash-land on an African nature reserve in Kenya, where they meet others of their own kind, and Alex especially discovers his royal heritage as prince of a lion pride.
- DirectorNorman TokarStarsKen BerrySandy DuncanHarry MorganThree scientists help an Alien feline, stranded on Earth, to repair its damaged spacecraft in order to return home but their efforts are hampered by inept army officials and foreign spies.
- DirectorRob MinkoffStarsMichael J. FoxGeena DavisHugh LaurieThe Little family adopt a charming young mouse named Stuart, but the family cat wants rid of him.Who remembers Snowbell?
- DirectorFletcher MarkleStarsÉmile GenestJohn DrainieTommy TweedTwo dogs and a cat set off on a treacherous 200-mile journey towards home.
- DirectorJames AlgarStarsWinston HiblerExperience the thrill of the hunt and the heartwarming fun of a mother lion caring for her playful cubs as wildlife experts Elma Milotte and Alfred Milotte spend three years on the plains of Africa studying the king of beasts.
- DirectorJeff BlythStarsKeith CooganLucy DeakinsColin MothupiA "born free" type story set in Kenya about an orphaned cheetah cub that is adopted and raised by an American family.
- DirectorDuwayne DunhamStarsMichael J. FoxSally FieldDon AmecheA fun-loving American bulldog pup, a hilarious Himalayan cat, and a wise old golden retriever embark on a long trek through the rugged wilderness of the Sierra Nevada mountains in a quest to reach home and their beloved owners.A childhood favorite.
- DirectorLawrence GutermanStarsAlec BaldwinTobey MaguireJeff GoldblumA look at the top-secret, high-tech espionage war going on between cats and dogs, of which their human owners are blissfully unaware.This film isn't that great, but it's a childhood favorite of mine. So that's why I included this.
- DirectorPeter AtencioStarsKeegan-Michael KeyJordan PeeleTiffany HaddishWhen the adorable kitten of an L.A. crime kingpin unexpectedly enters the life of two cousins, they will have to go through tough gangs, pitiless hit-men, and ruthless drug dealers who all claim him, to get him back. How hard can it be?
- DirectorHoward HawksStarsKatharine HepburnCary GrantCharles RugglesWhile trying to secure a $1 million donation for his museum, a befuddled paleontologist is pursued by a flighty and often irritating heiress and her pet leopard, Baby.'Baby' is the name of the characters pet leopard.
- DirectorAndrew MartonStarsMarshall ThompsonBetsy DrakeRichard HaydnA veterinarian living in Africa with his daughter take care of a cross-eyed lion, make friends with other animals, and learn about local wildlife.
- DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.Hello? The cowardly lion.
- DirectorNorman TokarStarsBrian KeithVera MilesPamela FranklinA tiger escapes from a circus truck as it passes by a small town, and hides itself in the surrounding woods. This throws the town into a panic and everyone wants the animal killed immediately, except for the daughter of the sheriff. She wants to capture the tiger and put it in a zoo, thereby saving the tiger's life. Her determination starts a nationwide campaign among children to raise the money to buy the tiger from the circus, but first, she, her father and an Indian tiger trainer must find the tiger before the National Guard do, who have orders to kill it on sight.