The Cat Returns

Play trailer

0:30

The Cat Returns

G,

2005,

1h 15m,

Kids & Family/

Adventure/

Comedy/

Fantasy/

Animation

Play Trailer

Watchlist

The Cat Returns - Studio Ghibli Fest: The Cat Returns - Studio Ghibli Fest

Now Playing

View more videos

Watchlist

88%

24 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

High school student Haru rescues a cat that was about to be run over by a truck and discovers the cat is actually a prince named Lune. Out of gratitude, Lune's father, the Cat King, asks her to marry Lune. Haru is brought to the Cat Kingdom, where she starts to develop feline features. When she is prevented from leaving, the Baron and Toto, two statues that have magically been given life, provide assistance in gaining her freedom.

Critics Consensus

Sweetly charming and beautifully animated, The Cat Returns offers anime adventure suitable for the very young and young at heart.

Read Critics Reviews

Lisa Nesselson

Variety

Sep 1, 2008

Catchy entertainment for kids and adults...

Go to Full Review

Michael Booth

Denver Post

Jun 20, 2007

[Director] Morita has a slightly cruder, more realistic sense of the world and its looniness than does Miyazaki, and you can see where The Cat Returns moves on a different track even as it pays homage to Japan's current animation master.

Go to Full Review

Anna Smith

Empire Magazine

Apr 1, 2006

2/5

There's little tension or opportunity for emotional involvement in the brief story, and despite competent animation the cats are rarely anthropomorphised to good comic effect. One for anime -- and animal -- lovers only.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 18, 2021

2.5/4

Pleasant if unexceptional.

Go to Full Review

Ben Nicholson

CineVue

Dec 28, 2020

4/5

Miya-san may have said "sayounara" but the films made during his time will continue to inspire and delight.

Go to Full Review

Sergio Non

IGN

Dec 28, 2020

8/10

This movie exhibits a craft that belies Morita's inexperience as a director.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Hiroyuki Morita

Director

Anne Hathaway

Haru

Kristen Bell

Hiromi

Cary Elwes

The Baron

Peter Boyle

Muta

Elliott Gould

Toto

Fantastica: A Boonie Bears Adventure

50%

Fantastica: A Boonie Bears Adventure

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Fantastica: A Boonie Bears Adventure

Raya and the Last Dragon

93%

97%

Raya and the Last Dragon

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Raya and the Last Dragon

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods

Watchlist

Burrow

92%

Burrow

Watchlist

Jinxed

75%

Jinxed

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Cat Returns - Studio Ghibli Fest: The Cat Returns - Studio Ghibli Fest

0:30

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

High school student Haru rescues a cat that was about to be run over by a truck and discovers the cat is actually a prince named Lune. Out of gratitude, Lune's father, the Cat King, asks her to marry Lune. Haru is brought to the Cat Kingdom, where she starts to develop feline features. When she is prevented from leaving, the Baron and Toto, two statues that have magically been given life, provide assistance in gaining her freedom.

Director: Hiroyuki Morita
Screenwriter: Cindy Davis Hewitt, Donald H. Hewitt
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co: Studio Ghibli, Walt Disney Studios
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 13, 2005, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 26, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2019
Runtime: 1h 15m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings