Tobe Hooper’s theatrical adaptation of Cats has finally hit theaters in time for Christmas, and it’s getting destroyed online by both critics and audiences. Not only did the movie get a miserably low approval rating from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, but it also bombed on its opening weekend. It’s unlikely that Cats will make back its total budget. Since the movie has been labeled terrible by most, we’ve compiled a list of cat movies that are much better than the musical film.
Puss in Boots (2011)
Puss in Boots is an animated movie following the adventures of the lovable Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas. The character originated in an old English fairy tale and then was introduced to the DreamWorks animation world during Shrek 2. He proved popular enough with audiences to get his own franchise.
The film served as a prequel to the entire Shrekfranchise. Puss in Boots was so well-received, it even got nominated for Best Animated Film at the Academy Awards. Needless to say, the CGI and animation make the cats much cuter in appearance than in Cats (2019).
The Aristocats (1970)
The Aristocats is considered one of the original classic animated Disney movies. Like most Disney films, The Aristocats is a musical and full of adventure and whimsy. It follows the story of a cat named Duchess and her three kittens.
Duchess’s owner leaves her a massive inheritance. To steal it for himself, the owner’s butler deposits the cats out in the country where they find themselves lost and alone. They must slowly make their back home, and, along the way, they meet a menagerie of colorful and hilarious characters.
Keanu (2016)
Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key star in this hilarious 2016 film about two men who will do whatever it takes to rescue a kitten after it gets stolen by a thief. Peele’s character Rell and Key’s character Clarence must begin working for a dangerous criminal named Cheddar, who will only return the kitten if they do some very illegal tasks for him.
It’s a much funnier and more enjoyable film than Cats, and again, the kitten is actually cute. Tiffany Haddish, Keanu Reeves, Nia Long, Will Forte, and Method Man also star.
The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
Cats aren’t the sole stars of The Secret Life of Pets, but they do have their part to play. If you’ve ever wondered what pets get up to when you’re not home, then this animated movie should be the perfect fit for you.
It’s fun, full of adventure, and the CGI is miles ahead of anything you’ll find in the film version of Cats. Chloe is the main cat in the movie, and she’s voiced by Lake Bell. If you wind up loving the first movie, you can also check out the sequel, which released earlier this year.
Pet Sematary (2019)
If you’re a massive cat-lover, then you might want to steer clear of Pet Sematary since it does deal with a cat dying, but he comes back! Pet Sematary is a remake of the 1989 film of the same name. Both films are adaptations of Stephen King’s 1983 novel.
The 2019 film, in particular, is very graphic, but the violence is not perpetrated toward animals. Church, the cat, is a horror icon in his own right, and, even though he’s a mean cat, you’ll probably find him endearing all the same.
The Lion King
The Lion King is another classic Disney animated movie. It’s not exactly about your average housecat, as the title suggests. The Lion King franchise follows the story and evolution of a lion cub named Simba who must learn how to become the king of his Pride after the death of his father, Mufasa.
If you love the 1994 movie, you can watch the multiple sequels and the 2019 live-action version. Even though The Lion King (2019) fell prey to its own criticisms, it was still better received overall than Cats.
Cats Don’t Dance (1997)
Danny the cat would do anything to become an entertainer in Hollywood, but the road to fame is not an easy one. Danny’s journey to the top is riddled with numerous obstacles.
Cats Don’t Dance is hilarious, full of great music, and it tells a fantastic story about following one’s dreams no matter what. It’s severely underrated, perhaps because it was a Warner Brothers movie instead of Disney. It’s also very well-written and should appeal to adults just as much as kids.
Catwoman (2004)
Halle Berry’s much-reviled portrayal of Catwoman is hardly as bad as people have made it out to be over the years; it’s certainly campy and over-the-top, but even Catwoman is more entertaining than Cats. Berry is fine as Selina Kyle, and watching her go up against Sharon Stone is infinitely fun to watch.
The movie isn’t worthy of any awards, but the distaste toward it has been widely blown out of proportion. However, if the 2004 version isn’t your speed, you can also check out Michelle Pfeiffer’s version in Batman Returns. Anne Hathaway also makes a good Selina in The Dark Knight Rises, but Nolan’s version is more grounded in reality.
Cat’s Eye (1985)
Drew Barrymore starred in this 1985 film based on two short stories written by Stephen King from his Night Shift collection. Cat’s Eye is an anthology movie about three different tales, all linked by a mysterious stray tomcat.
Two of the stories are based on King’s stories, while the third was created for the movie. One story revolves around a sketchy doctor, another around a millionaire with dark secrets, and third around a young girl (Barrymore). Each person crosses paths with the tomcat during their story.
Oliver & Company (1988)
Oliver & Company is the animated musical Disney version of Charles Dicken’s classic novel Oliver Twist. In this interpretation of the story, Oliver is a little kitten taken in by a group of street dogs.
The dogs are led by their leader, Dodger, who takes a liking to Oliver and the two form a bond. Eventually, Oliver gets adopted by a young girl but he finds that his new life is threatened by his past connections to the dogs. Many fans of the film consider it underrated.
