7 Famous Felines from Film
Cats, they’re everywhere. They’re hands-down the most frequently referenced animals on the Internet. Found featured in hilarious YouTube videos and captioned memes, cats offer free laughs to the masses. If you own a healthy cat and are reading this article on your home computer, you might just have a keyboard companion. What is it with the universal keyboard obsession? Anyway, most of us can agree that cats and entertainment have been two peas in a pod for decades. With respect to film, let’s look at some of the most popular felines to hit the big screen.
Simba from The Lion King (1994)
Although Scar and Mufasa should be on this list, the prize goes to the main character – even if his voice was cast by 2 people, a young (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) and adult (Matthew Broderick) Simba. Production budget for The Lion King was $79.3 million but worldwide box office sales reached a staggering $952 million. Tack on domestic video sales and that number far exceeds $1 billion.
Shere Khan from Jungle Book (1967)
Who? The name may sound unfamiliar, but if you’ve watched Disney’s adaptation of the story you’ll know the reference. The name Shere Khan translates to “Tiger King”. Shere’s is feared by local jungle inhabitants but is ironically obsessed by their ability to ability to work with fire, which ironically is what defeats him in the final battle of the movie. An honorable mention in this film goes to Bagheera, the panther.
Mr. Jinx from Meet The Parents (2000)
Mr. Jinx, the beloved toilet-using cat of Robert De Niro’s character. The cat plays a critical role in helping sabotage the relationship between De Niro and his daughter’s fiancé, Ben Stiller. Full of interesting scenes, the quirky cat leaves a lasting impression.
The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland (1951 & 2010)
The pink and purple striped cat with a mischievous grin that can disappear on a whim. His mysterious character gives Alice subtle clues and pulls pranks during her journey through Wonderland. He plays a pivotal role in the progression of the story, helping bring it to its climactic ending.
Garfield (2004)
Most everyone knows the books even though the movie was meh. Garfield the cat is well known for his lazy, self-serving ways as well as his insatiable appetite. Garfield especially enjoys lasagna and coffee. Conversely, he hates Mondays and raisins.
Mr. Bigglesworth from Austin Powers (1997)
The cat that lost all of its hair after being cryogenically frozen, Mr. Bigglesworth plays a tiny yet utterly hilarious role in the Austin Powers films. Like just about every other nuance in the Austin Powers films, Mr. Bigglesworth models super villain’s, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, iconic cat.
The Cat in The Hat (2003)
Dr. Seuss’ Cat in The Hat makes the list because of his immense popularity. Originally published in 1957, the story focuses on a cat with a human-like body who one day presents himself to two young children and shows them an entertaining day.
