10 Movie Cats That Prove Why They Are Superior To Dogs

Cats have been around for a long time, In ancient Egypt, they were worshipped, with the goddess Bastet often depicted in cat form. As reported by historian Herodotus, the killing of cats was forbidden. Should a house cat die, the entire family mourned and shaved their eyebrows.

Cats are known to be somewhat aloof and haughty. Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, once said: “Way down deep, we’re all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them.” It’s this sort of peculiar, prideful demeanor that enchants people the world over. In the history of cinema, many cats have appeared in a wide range of movies, from cartoons to horror films, always filling the screen with their trademark attitude, a mix of sass and charm that proves irresistible.

10 Oliver – Oliver & Company (1988)

One of Disney’s forgotten animated films, Oliver & Company premiered in 1988 to box-office success but tepid critical reviews. The film features Oliver, an orange orphan kitten who must find its place in New York City accompanied by a merry band of characters, including a mongrel, voiced by Billy Joel.

Charming, brave, and friendly, this cat adaptation of Dickens’ classic Oliver Twist is also rather naive and trusting. However, his experiences quickly make him smarter and more resourceful, turning him into the ideal hero.

9 Snowbell – Stuart Little (1999)

Witty, arrogant, and entitled, Snowbell is the Little Family’s Persian cat. Initially despising the idea of having a mouse as a master, Snowbell tries to eat Stuart, leaves him locked in the washing machine, and goes so far as to ask Smokey, an alley cat mob boss type, to get rid of the mouse.

Still, Snowbell is revealed to be kind and friendly deep down. He cares deeply for the Littles, a love that he eventually also extends to Stuart. Voiced by Broadway icon Nathan Lane, Snowbell is as funny as he is clever, making him the best kind of cat.

8 Goose – Captain Marvel (2019)

What can possibly be better than a cat that’s actually a shape-shifting alien from a species terrifically named Flerkens? Nothing, that’s what. Appearing in the Marvel blockbuster Captain Marvel, Goose is a seemingly harmless cat that Nick Fury takes a liking to. Other characters in the film, including loveable chump Talos, tell Fury that the animal is not what it appears to be.

This turns out to be true when Goose swallows the Tesseract with a mouth full of tentacles. It also scratches Nick Fury’s eye out, making it responsible for Fury’s iconic look. If that’s not enough to earn Goose a spot in the pantheon of great movie cats, then nothing else will be.

7 Keanu – Keanu (2016)

Born with a rare disease that will keep him a kitten forever, Keanu is the absurdly cute, gold-chain wearing tabby at the center of Key & Peele’s 2016 comedy Keanu. Voiced by Keanu Reeves in a drug-fueled dream sequence, the adorable cat’s abduction launches the entire events of the film.

Seven very similar cats were used for the making of the film, all taken from shelters. Luckily, they were all adopted by the end of the shooting, with one going home with Tiffany Haddish.

6 Orion – Men In Black (1997)

“To prevent war, the galaxy is on Orion’s belt.” The famous quote, uttered by a dying alien inside a fake human body, is a key plot point in 1997’s sci-fi comedy Men In Black. Orion, the alien’s white and orange cat, has an entire galaxy hanging from his collar, making him, possibly, the most important character in the film other than the titular MIB.

Loyal and faithful to his dead master, the cat stays with the alien, even in the morgue, and fiercely protects the collar. It most likely dies at the hands of Edgar, the giant bug antagonist of the film, which was a tragic loss for the feline world.

5 Mrs. Norris – Harry Potter Series (2001 – 2011)

Love her or hate her (and fans of the books and movies, like the students of Hogwarts themselves, most certainly hated her), Mrs. Norris, Argus Filch’s trusty feline sidekick proved to be staunchly loyal and protective of Hogwarts’ caretaker. Mrs. Norris often wandered the castle hallways, looking for students out of bed and other troublemakers.

She was described as having an unusual connection with Filch (he even brought her as a sort of date to the Yule Ball), something that won her the animosity of the school’s student body. Now, this is the sort of cat partner anyone would be lucky to have.

4 Thomas O’Malley – The Aristocats (1970)

A feral cat living in 1910’s Paris, O’Malley is the worldly and street-smart orange leading cat in Disney’s underrated classic, The Aristocats. Brave and dependable, O’Malley helps Duchess and her three kittens, Toulouse, Marie and Berlioz, return home to their owner, retired opera diva Madame Bonfamille and her butler abandon them in the countryside.

He sings, he dances, he rescues kittens in distress, and charms his way into the hearts of pretty much everyone he meets. Everybody wants to be a cat, indeed, especially with O’Malley as a companion.

3 Jiji – Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Kiki’s pet cat and closest companion, Jiji is the loyal best friend and support for the young witch-in-training in the 1989 Studio Ghibli classic. Jiji, just like the film itself, is notorious for being rather different in the dubbed version. In the original Japanese film, he serves as the voice of reason and caution for Kiki. In the American dub, however, he’s a wisecracking and sarcastic companion, voiced by Saturday Night Live legend Phil Hartman.

Whatever the version, Jiji is still an unmatched companion, always supporting Kiki. When he gets his happy ending with his girlfriend Lily, the audience is on their feet, cheering.

2 Puss In Boots – Shrek 2 (2004)

Since first jumping into the screen with its wide, cute, shining green eyes, and fierce skills with the sword, Puss In Boots has enchanted audiences. Voiced by Spanish treasure Antonio Banderas, this orange cat is passionately loyal and honorable, an ardent romantic who lives and dies by the code of chivalry.

Puss has become a staple of the Shrek franchise, even getting his own standalone movie in 2011. This naughty cat makes for the perfect companion, as he is capable of defending his owner with his surprising swordsmanship, while also providing wisdom and moral support in times of distress. What more can one ask from a cat?

1 The Cheshire Cat – Alice In Wonderland (1951)

Mysterious, mischievous, with a cruel sense of humor and a tendency for the dramatic, the Cheshire Cat is the pink-and-purple striped feline who plays a central role in Disney’s 1951 adaptation of Lewis Carrol’s classic. Often acting as a guide for the poor and confused Alice, the cat also has a rather wicked sense of humor and enjoys teasing others for his own entertainment.

With his wide, lunatic grin, trademark panache and ability to disappear at will, this kooky cat would be quite the ally to have, both in and out of Wonderland, making him the obvious choice to top this list.

About The Author

David Caballero
(810 Articles Published)

David is a twenty-eight-year-old Mexican writer and reader. Having studied Marketing in school, he spent three years working a nine-to-five desk job before deciding to pursue a writing career. He now works as a Senior Writer in ScreenRant and does some more freelancing job, talking about the entertainment business he so loves. Currently, he’s also writing his second novel while actively working to get his first one published.

More From David Caballero