23 Most Popular Cat Characters We've Seen On Movies And TV

Cats are a staple in mainstream media.

May

• Published in Cartoons / Anime
• September 22, 2022

Who doesn't love cartoons when they were just kids? There are so many colorful characters full of personality, whether they're a show's protagonist, the sidekick, or the villain.

Even as young people, life is already challenging. Cartoons bring us to a fun-filled world with scenes we can easily relate to.

When we needed an escape, we watch our favorite characters, witness their strength and powers, then inspire us to reach our dreams. And let's not forget that cartoons have fascinating effects and mind-blowing scenes that we'll never witness in real life.

No wonder we were hooked! And we wouldn't blame you if you still watch cartoons even as an adult.

It's simply relaxing watching them after all. Among the popular characters in mainstream media are cat characters.

They have made their mark on TV, films, commercials, and comics. You cannot deny that there's something magical about witnessing anthropomorphized cats in action.

We see them do things that go beyond the bounds of reality. They are either mischief-loving felines or, just like cats in reality, love to play and chill.

They are so much fun to watch too! So in this post, we will appreciate some of the popular cat characters we've seen in cartoon shows and films.

Here are the 23 most popular cartoon felines of all time, ranging from adorable kittens to ferocious lions.

1. Oliver from Oliver & Company

Disney's 1988 film is among the underappreciated ones of the decade, but it is still remembered by many. It follows Oliver, a tabby kitten, as he goes on an adventure though the streets of New York and finally find his forever home.

2. Lucifer from Cinderella

We definitely believe that Lady Tremaine is a cat person. She owns a cat named Lucifer, who is just as evil as her and her daughters.

3. Garfield

Garfield came even before Grumpy Cat became a thing. He first appeared in a Jim Davis comic strip with his owner Jon and his dog sibling named Odie.

4. Tom from Tom & Jerry

Tom and Jerry are famous for their silly and funny chases. This routine goes on and on each episode.

5. The Aristocats

The Aristocrats are awesome. You have the queenly Duchess, the debonair J. Thomas O'Malley the Alley Cat and Duchess's three cute kitties Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz.

6. Sylvester from Looney Tunes

Just like the famous cat and mouse, Sylvester is constantly hunting for Tweety. This talking cat has appeared in tons of episodes and is among the well-known animated cats of all time.

7. Rajah from Aladdin

Yep, we've included big cats too! Rajah is the absolutely charming tiger BFF of Jasmine.

8. Tigger from Winnie the Pooh

Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood is an energetic tiger named Tigger. The characters has been a household name since the release of the book in 1926.

9. The Cat in the Hat from Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat

This cat has been causing mayhem with Thing 1 and Thing 2. As Dr. Suess's titular character in the The Cat in the Hat, he is potentially the most popular cat in the world of literature.

10. Tony the Tiger, the Kellogg's Frosted Flakes mascot

On boxes of cereals, another well-known cartoon tiger can be seen. Tony has been telling us for many years that Frosted Flakes are "grrrreat!"

11. The Pink Panther

Although the franchise focuses on Inspector Jacques Clouseau, the cartoon mascot is arguably more famous. The Pink Panther is also the most talented dancer in today's list.

12. Hello Kitty

This feline Sanrio character has appeared on a variety of themed merchandise and has her own TV show. Her signature pink bow is instantly recognizable.

13. The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland

The Cheshire Cat's face looks weird. But he's so popular that you can probably imagine him when you see a waxing crescent moon.

14. Snowball II from The Simpsons

15. Simba from The Lion King

Simba is a mischievous, troublemaking cat at heart, and he is up there with the most beloved cartoon characters in history.

16. Puss in Boots from Shrek 2

After captivating viewers with his charm in the Shrek films, this sword-wielding feline was given his own film. He instantly leveled up from sidekick to protagonist.

I mean, just look at that expression!

17. Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat

Sagwa, based on Amy Tan's children's book, had her own PBS Kids TV show in 2001. She is Chinese royalty in the series and goes on a journey with her sibs and bat friend named Fu-Fu.

18. Cat from CatDog

CatDog was a Nickelodeon show that followed the antics of a conjoined feline and canine. You can already expect that the former is the brains of this twosome.

19. Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes

Bill Watterson created the well-known newspaper comic series Calvin and Hobbes. Since then, the pair has appeared in numerous books.

Calvin's stuffed cat also came to life and became an all-time popular cartoon character.

20. Bagheera from The Jungle Book

Mowgli becomes friends with a wise panther named Bagheera. This ruler of the jungle is among the well-known felines in animation history.

21. Felix the Cat

Felix is a notable classic cat character. He was developed in 1919  (the era of silent film) and has been reimagined numerous times in cartoons since then.

22. Figaro from Pinocchio

This Geppetto's adorable black-and-white kitten may had a minor role in the film, but fans of Disney will recognize him easily. That's because he brings back fond memories.

23. Chloe from The Secret Life of Pets

While her owner is at work, Chloe spends her days chilling around. She lives a secret life with her canine buddies.

Cats have long been recurring characters in movies, literature, TV, and other forms of media. Whether they are the main character or a supporting ones, their presence is noticeable and usually very welcome.

Do you have friends who love feline characters too? Go ahead and share this list and appreciate these lovely characters together!

May