The Cat Returns

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The Cat Returns

G

Released Jul 13, 2005

1h 15m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Comedy

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

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.

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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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Lisa Nesselson

Variety

Catchy entertainment for kids and adults...

Sep 1, 2008

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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

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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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Pleasant if unexceptional.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 18, 2021

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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

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Sergio Non

IGN Movies

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

Rated: 8/10

Dec 28, 2020

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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

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Henry S

I really enjoyed this movie

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/24

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Noe G

The cat returns was amazing and fantastic studio ghibli movie and my rating is a 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/24

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Sam C

I like this movie. I like the lead orange cat.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/12/24

Full Review

Cristian Q

I watch this movie every time I'm at home when I'm bored, I feel that many times people ignore this kind of movies just because they are "anime". It is a movie where fantasy is mixed in, being a girl the main character who can communicate with cats because she goes to a magic world where it seems that cats live as if they were humans. The visual effects are dazzling and the action sequences are exciting and thanks to the soundtrack you get more into the plot. In short, "The Return of the Cat" is a captivating adventure that will delight the whole familyI watch this movie every time I'm at home when I'm bored, I feel that many times people ignore this kind of movies just because they are "anime". It is a movie where fantasy is mixed in, being a girl the main character who can communicate with cats because she goes to a magic world where it seems that cats live as if they were humans. The visual effects are dazzling and the action sequences are exciting and thanks to the soundtrack you get more into the plot. In short, "The Return of the Cat" is a captivating adventure that will delight the whole family I recommend it if you are looking for a movie that you can watch several times to be able to understand more of the references that you get to see and appreciate.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

Full Review

Chase C

Short and sweet. Great message and very cute.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/24

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

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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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