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The 10 Best Movies for Cat Lovers
From ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ to ‘Alien,’ these films capture what cat lovers already know: Felines steal every scene they’re in
Feline scene-stealers from "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "The Aristocats," "Keanu," "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," "Alice in Wonderland," "Alien" and "The Adventures of Milo and Otis"
Courtesy Everett Collection, 7
When it comes to the silver screen, Hollywood seems to favor dogs. Lassie, Toto, Beethoven, Cujo … Tinseltown is canine crazy. But over the years, some pretty special felines have stolen the show from their human (or even canine!) costars, and it’s high time they were celebrated. Each of these 10 movies — whether it’s scary sci-fi or cozy family fare — features a darling diva at its heart.
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Keanu (2016, R)
The real star: Keanu
Why cat lovers love it: If you’re a Key & Peele fan and you haven’t seen this hilarious action-satire yet, what are you waiting for? Sketch comedy savants Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele costar in this dizzy, fizzy caper about an impossibly adorable kitten whose kidnapping (catnapping?) sends two pals on a wild rescue mission through L.A.’s criminal underworld. The joke is that everyone — from soft-hearted civilians to ruthless gangsters — falls in love instantly with little Keanu. It’s easy to see why.
Watch it: Keanu
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013, R)
The real star: Ulysses
Why cat lovers love it: In this fantastic, slow-burn comedy from the Coen brothers, Oscar Issac plays a hard-luck folk musician in 1960s Greenwich Village. As he looks for work, he half-heartedly cares for a ginger cat named Ulysses who keeps running away. Isaac is terrific as the defeated musician, but we nominate Ulysses for best supporting feline simply because he seems to be the only spark of joy and companionship in poor Llewyn’s crummy life.
Watch it: Inside Llewyn Davis
The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986, G)
The real star: Milo
Why cat lovers love it: Good luck trying not to crack a smile or choke back a tear watching this heartwarming adventure about two pint-size pals lost in the great outdoors who just happen to be an orange tabby (Milo) and a goofy pug (Otis). This is one of those rare kid movies that you really don’t need to be a kid to surrender to. If you loved delightful little charmers like Babe and Homeward Bound, you’ve just found your new favorite film.
Watch it: The Adventures of Milo and Otis
Alien (1979, R)
The real star: Jonesy
Why cat lovers love it: True cat lovers know that Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) isn’t the only survivor at the end of Ridley Scott’s sci-fi/horror classic about a space freighter overrun with space monsters. She also manages to rescue Jonesy, the ship’s fearless orange feline. Some might try to tell you that Jonesy doesn’t do anything in the film. Rubbish! He adds a deeply human touch to the deep-space terror … as well as a couple of really effective jump scares.
Watch it: Alien
The Godfather (1972, R)
The real star: Don Corleone’s cat
Why cat lovers love it: Can you imagine what it must be like being Don Corleone’s cat? Think of all the incriminating stuff you’d overhear. Also, think of all the Bolognese you’d get to lick off the mobster’s plate when he excuses himself to order Sonny or Luca Brasi to whack someone. The Godfather’s cat looks content enough sitting on Marlon Brando’s lap on the day of his daughter’s wedding. Then again, maybe it’s just terrified.
Watch it: The Godfather
The Aristocats (1970, G)
The real stars: Duchess, Scat Cat, the kittens
Why cat lovers love it: Pound for pound, this animated Disney classic has more felines in its cast than any other movie on this list. In theory, the star here is Duchess, the elegant mother of Marie, Berlioz and Toulouse. But if we had to single out the movie’s true secret weapon, we’d go with the jazzy, trumpet-playing, alley-dwelling Scat Cat, who’s perfectly voiced by the one and only Scatman Crothers. He’s like Dizzy Gillespie with paws.
Watch it: The Aristocats
That Darn Cat! (1965, G)
The real star: D.C.
Why cat lovers love it: Meet D.C., short for “Darn Cat,” the star of this live-action Disney family film starring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones. A mischievous Siamese (are there any other kind?), D.C. accidentally becomes the key to solving a kidnapping after returning home with a very expensive clue around his neck.
Watch it: That Darn Cat!
From Russia With Love (1963, PG)
The real star: Blofeld’s cat
Why cat lovers love it: Several different actors have played James Bond’s greatest nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, over the course of the franchise. And many different white longhair cats have sat on those actors’ laps as the villain calmly threatens 007’s life. But for our money, the best of the breed is the purring Persian from this top-tier Sean Connery outing. Fun fact: If you’re wondering where the idea for Dr. Evil’s hairless Mr. Bigglesworth came from in Austin Powers, this is it.
Watch it: From Russia With Love
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, NR)
The real star: Cat
Why cat lovers love it: Sharing an apartment with Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly? Where do we sign up? Never mind that the restless heroine of this stylish ’60s classic can’t be bothered to give her cat a real name; she’s complicated. But when push comes to shove and “Cat” goes missing, Holly’s true colors come out as she breaks down in tears. This orange tabby means the world to her.
Watch it: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Alice in Wonderland (1951, PG)
The real star: The Cheshire Cat
Why cat lovers love it: Hands down, the grooviest cat on this list (check out his purple-and-fuchsia stripes!), Disney’s grinning Cheshire Cat in this animated take on Lewis Carroll’s through-the-looking-glass classic steals the show with his playful, merry-prankster wit. This is one cool cat. It also happens to be a heck of a film that hasn’t aged a day. Definitely worth a rewatch … even if you’re more of a dog person. Ssshh. We won’t tell.
Watch it: Alice in Wonderland
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