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The Cat Returns

Play trailer 0:30 Poster for The Cat Returns G Released Jul 13, 2005 1h 15m Kids & Family Adventure Comedy Fantasy Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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The Cat Returns

The Cat Returns

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Lisa Nesselson Variety Catchy entertainment for kids and adults... Sep 1, 2008 Full Review Michael Booth Denver Post [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. Jun 20, 2007 Full Review Anna Smith Empire Magazine 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. Rated: 2/5 Apr 1, 2006 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Pleasant if unexceptional. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 18, 2021 Full Review Ben Nicholson CineVue Miya-san may have said "sayounara" but the films made during his time will continue to inspire and delight. Rated: 4/5 Dec 28, 2020 Full Review Sergio Non IGN Movies This movie exhibits a craft that belies Morita's inexperience as a director. Rated: 8/10 Dec 28, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jasaire The creator of this piece of work has a lifetime of award winning cartoons that I am a huge fan of. This is my first time seeing this one and Yes I purchased it a few days later. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/04/25 Full Review Koen H Such a lovely film! But please if you watch don't dub but sub ;) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/25 Full Review A J Another, a bit shorter, Studio Ghibli piece sure to trigger your imagination. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/07/24 Full Review Dominick S Going into this movie as a Miyazaki fan I thought this would have been one of the weaker animes from Studio Ghibli, because of what looked like very simple animation and drawing, but was so pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this! I loved it. It was genuinely engaging, funny and I cared a lot about the characters. Was charming. Excellent voice actor cast as well! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/27/24 Full Review Jay W "The Cat Returns" is a very...different movie. It is the shortest of all the Studio Ghibli movies, it is animated in a more cartoony style than any other. The film is certainly a departure from the previous movie containing "the Baron" ("Whisper of the Heart"). Where that film is grounded in the real world, "The Cat Returns" is very much a work of fantasy. The movie is more a comedy than any other Ghibli movie. Where others try to make grand spectacle, to be a big event. This movie seems satisfied to tell an entertaining story and be on its way. And at the end of the day, that's what this. It is an entertaining story. It is a bit off the wall and strange at times, but that is part of its charm. I just find the main girl, Haru, to be too wishy washy about the whole thing. Her motivation will change at the drop of a hat. Not the studio's best film, but certainly a memorable one. If the Cat wanted to return for a few more adventures, that would be quite alright with me. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/21/24 Full Review Henry S I really enjoyed this movie Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/31/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Hiroyuki Morita

Director

Anne Hathaway

Haru

Kristen Bell

Hiromi

Cary Elwes

The Baron

Peter Boyle

Muta

Elliott Gould

Toto
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The Cat Returns

The Cat Returns - Studio Ghibli Fest: The Cat Returns - Studio Ghibli Fest The Cat Returns - Studio Ghibli Fest: The Cat Returns - Studio Ghibli Fest 0:30 View more videos
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The Cat Returns

The Cat Returns (2002) A scene from "The Cat Returns." A scene from "The Cat Returns." A scene from "The Cat Returns." A scene from "The Cat Returns." Poster Art View more photos

Movie Info

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)
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