From the eccentric mischief of Mr. Bigglesworth and Jinxy to the cult-favorite heroics of Keanu and the mystical endurance of Thackery Binx, felines have long held a special, indelible place in the history of cinema. Now, these four-legged screen stars are scampering back into the public limelight through a brand-new release that catalogs their diverse contributions to the silver screen. Released this month by the acclaimed entertainment studio A24, The Encyclopedia of Movie Cats arrives as a playful yet exhaustive compendium celebrating the cats that have graced motion pictures throughout the ages.
Spanning decades of filmmaking, the newly published volume captures the vast spectrum of feline roles on screen. Whether they are serving as the central protagonists driving a plot, acting as dependable and helpful sidekicks to human heroes, or acting as the wicked accomplices of cinematic villains, these furry actors have consistently proven themselves to be iconic in their respective roles. In many instances throughout film history, these charismatic animals have even managed to completely steal the show from their human counterparts, leaving a lasting impression on audiences long after the credits have rolled.
Measuring up as a comprehensive visual archive, The Encyclopedia of Movie Cats features more than 700 individual felines distributed across an impressive collection of 1,900 film stills. The book takes readers on a sprawling, visually rich journey through cinematic history, documenting how cats have been portrayed, stylized, and integrated into storytelling across various genres, decades, and budgets. The breadth of the catalog ensures that casual moviegoers and dedicated cinephiles alike will encounter both familiar favorites and forgotten gems from archival vaults.
Among the historical treasures highlighted in the volume is a striking still from the 1961 classic The Shadow of the Cat, courtesy of the Everett Collection, showcasing the eerie and atmospheric ways early filmmakers incorporated felines into suspense and supernatural narratives. Moving forward through the decades, the compendium embraces the diverse ways cats have been utilized as characters, ranging from gritty crime comedies to massive comic book blockbusters.
For instance, the catalog features stills from the 2016 action-comedy Keanu, highlighting the titular feline—complete with its memorable cape—in a project where an adorable kitten effectively serves as the primary macguffin and emotional anchor for an entire feature film. The volume similarly ventures into the realm of blockbuster science fiction and superhero franchises, incorporating imagery from major studio releases like the 2019 Marvel Cinematic Universe entry Captain Marvel. In that film, the deceptively dangerous alien creature known as Goose—appearing in the form of an ordinary-looking orange cat—captivated audiences worldwide and became an instant fan-favorite cultural touchstone, demonstrating the enduring appeal of feline characters in modern pop culture.
Beyond individual star turns, The Encyclopedia of Movie Cats explores thematic groupings of felines on film, including dedicated spreads examining cats in space, domestic settings, horror environments, and dramatic masterworks. The meticulous layout of the book pairs these diverse cinematic moments with high-quality reproductions of film stills, offering a comprehensive look at the visual language surrounding cats in visual media.
The release of the compendium adds to A24’s expanding catalog of film-adjacent publications, appealing directly to collectors, design enthusiasts, and animal lovers. For those looking to add the comprehensive visual guide to their personal libraries, The Encyclopedia of Movie Cats is currently available for purchase through the Colossal Shop.
