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In a unique and magical world, the Jellicle cats gather for their annual ball. During this special night, they compete to be selected for a journey to the Heaviside Layer, a mystical realm where one cat will be reborn and granted a new life. The chosen cat’s transformation represents hope and renewal for the entire community.

In a unique and magical world, the Jellicle cats gather for their annual ball. During this special night, they compete to be selected for a journey to the Heaviside Layer, a mystical realm where one cat will be reborn and granted a new life. The chosen cat’s transformation represents hope and renewal for the entire community.

Does Cats have end credit scenes?

No!

Cats does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Ratings and Reviews for Cats

See how Cats is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Cats stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

22

Cats falls short in cohesion and clarity, as most critics and viewers highlighted its problematic visual effects and narrative thinness. The virtually rendered fur and inconsistent production design often distract from the musical numbers, which few found engaging. A handful of performances and songs resonate briefly, yet they fail to overcome the chaotic editing and lack of emotional anchors. Overall, the film’s pervasive awkwardness outweighs the isolated moments of fun.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Cats

30
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of direction and visual execution, Cats struggles with unsettling digital fur technology and inconsistent cinematography. The virtual design often drifts into uncanny-valley territory, while shaky camera angles and uneven editing undermine scene transitions. Occasional bold framing suggests ambition, but these moments are eclipsed by the distracting production design. Consequently, the art direction feels more like a misstep than a stylistic statement.

25
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotional engagement, the performances often lack depth or resonance. Many actors struggle to convey feeling through the hybrid cat-human design, resulting in detached or hollow portrayals. A few moments, such as Hayward’s brief song turn, show genuine spark, but these are exceptions in an otherwise flat ensemble. Overall, the character work fails to forge a meaningful connection.

20
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of story and narrative flow, Cats presents a minimal plot that relies on a series of musical set pieces. The loose structure offers little coherence or momentum, with transitions feeling abrupt and arbitrary. Occasional lyrical interludes capture the stage’s whimsy, but they cannot compensate for the absence of a clear storyline or character arc. As a result, the pacing remains disjointed and difficult to follow.

35
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

When evaluating sensory experience, the film’s digital fur effects and sound design create a jarring mixture of eerie and mechanical tones. The soundtrack alternates between engaging melodies and awkward musical arrangements, while the visuals too often evoke discomfort rather than immersion. Some viewers appreciate the avant-garde ambition behind the Jellicle imagery, but for most the sensory elements undermine the intended spectacle. Ultimately, the experience feels more unsettling than captivating.

15
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

In terms of rewatch value, Cats offers limited motivation for repeat viewings. The novelty of the digital effects quickly gives way to distraction, and the absence of a cohesive narrative reduces the appeal of subsequent screenings. A few standout songs may elicit brief enjoyment, but these moments are insufficient to counteract the overall uneven execution. Consequently, the film’s replay potential remains low for most audiences.

Metacritic

32

Metascore

5.1

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

19%

TOMATOMETER

review

53%

User Score

IMDb

2.8 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

40

%

User Score

Letterboxd

1.3

From 475 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.82/5

From 44 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Cats Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Cats with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Jellicle Quiz: Cats (2019): Test your knowledge of the whimsical world of Cats as introduced in the 2019 film.

Who is the main character that becomes a part of the Jellicle tribe?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Cats

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Read the complete plot summary of Cats, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Victoria, a young white cat portrayed by Francesca Hayward, finds herself abandoned in the streets of London one fateful night by her owner. As she navigates her new surroundings, she encounters a group of alley cats who call themselves the “Jellicles”. Among them is the bashful magician Mr. Mistoffelees, who soon develops sentiments for Victoria, alongside the devoted Munkustrap, played by Robert Fairchild, and two queens named Cassandra and Demeter, performed by Mette Towley and Daniela Norman, respectively. They introduce her to the enchanting world of the Jellicles, especially as the exciting Jellicle Ball approaches, a yearly event where cats compete for a chance to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and begin anew.

Throughout this vibrant tale, various competitors showcase their unique skills and roles within the feline community. Jennyanydots, a diligent domestic tabby, enhances the productivity of mice and roaches, while the dashing Rum Tum Tugger, animatedly brought to life by Jason Derulo, brings flair and mischief. We also meet Bustopher Jones, played by James Corden, a lavish cat who revels in food scraps, and Skimbleshanks, a meticulous ginger cat portrayed by Steven McRae, who dutifully keeps the railway on schedule. The veteran Gus, played by Ian McKellen, recalls his illustrious roles, contrasting sharply with the villainous Macavity, performed by Idris Elba, who possesses the sinister ability to vanish and kidnaps the contestants (except for Tugger) to secure his chance as the Jellicle Choice.

Victoria’s adventures lead her to the mischievous twin cats, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, who delight in chaos and encourage her to partake in their playful antics. However, their mischief lands Victoria in trouble, tangled in jewelry as a watching family dog grows suspicious. Fortunately, Mr. Mistoffelees comes to her rescue, managing to distract the dog, and they return to their companions just in time for the arrival of the tribe’s revered matriarch, Old Deuteronomy.

The Jellicle Ball begins under the enchanting lights of the abandoned Egyptian Theatre, where Victoria impressively showcases her ballet talents beneath the moonlight. Yet, her performance is disrupted when Cassandra picks on Grizabella, portrayed by Jennifer Hudson, a former member of the clan who was ostracized due to her past association with Macavity. Victoria empathizes with Grizabella’s sense of isolation, and as Grizabella fades into shadows, Old Deuteronomy observes their unspoken bond, offering hope that Victoria may soon join the Jellicles.

The revelry is soon interrupted by the glamorous Bombalurina, portrayed by Taylor Swift, who captivates the crowd with her number dedicated to Macavity, using her charm to subdue the festivities with catnip. When Macavity demands to be recognized as the Jellicle Choice, Old Deuteronomy refuses, leading to her abduction along with other contestants. As the Jellicles grapple with their leader’s kidnapping, Victoria proposes that Mr. Mistoffelees use his magic to reunite them with Old Deuteronomy. After several attempts, he succeeds, and the Jellicles cheer for him as he shares a dance with Victoria. Meanwhile, Jennyanydots, through a brilliant costume change, liberates herself and the other captured cats from Macavity’s grasp, prompting his escape as he leaves one of his minions behind.

When Grizabella returns, Victoria advocates for her to vocalize her deep feelings. Grizabella then performs a poignant ballad, expressing regrets and memories of her past brilliance, which resonate deeply within the Jellicles’ hearts. Old Deuteronomy recognizes Grizabella as the Jellicle Choice, sending her off to the Heaviside Layer in a chandelier magically repaired by Mr. Mistoffelees to resemble a hot air balloon. In a final effort to pursue his own ascent, Macavity leaps dangerously toward the chandelier but falls instead, leaving the Jellicles once again united as they watch Grizabella rise into the glowing morning light. As the gathering begins to disperse, Old Deuteronomy warmly welcomes Victoria into their family.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Cats

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Cats. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Official Trailer #2

A Look Inside

Behind the Scenes

Own it now

Taylor Swift Sings “Macavity” and Gives the Jellicles Catnip

Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat in 4K HDR

The Old Gumbie Cat Extended Preview

Memory

Cars Featured in Cats

See 4 more

Explore all cars featured in Cats, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Austin

1937

Big Seven

Austin

1936

Seven New Ruby

Milk

float

unknown

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


dancingsingingcatfemale protagonistbased on stage musicalbased on stage musical based on bookanimal in titlelovefriendshiprebirthmelodramaensemble castcommunicating through songworst picture razzie winneranthropomorphic catuncanny valleysurrealismfriendoutcastfightsingeractorstreettitle sung by charactersongvignetterescuecoming of agedancecockroach2010sbargeriver thamesanthropomorphic animalcult filmbased on poemfurryone word titletitle spoken by charactertroubled productionentertainmentno title at beginningno opening creditstitle at the endtrain trackreward postercat moviebased on poetrypop musicalensemble

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