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Animated comedy

Cats (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Cats (2020) movie poster

Cats is a 2020 animated comedy directed by Gary Wang, starring Dermot Mulroney as Blanket, Jason Kesser and Brittany Curran. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes and earned $75.6 million worldwide on a $95 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Original Song at the Golden Globes 2020. Critics gave it 19% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 2.8/10.

IMDb rating
2.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
19%
worldwide gross
$75.6M
award nomination
1
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Cats (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 27m (87 min)
Director
Gary Wang
Original language
English
Budget
$95M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Cats About?

The premise of Cats without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A tribe of cats prepares for their annual Jellicle Ball, a magical night where one cat is chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn. Each cat hopes to be the chosen one, showcasing their unique personalities and talents in a joyful, and sometimes competitive, display. The whimsical animated adventure follows their journey as they await the momentous decision.

Cats Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • dancing
  • singing
  • cat
  • female protagonist
  • based on stage musical
  • based on stage musical based on book
  • animal in title
  • love
  • friendship
  • rebirth
  • melodrama
  • ensemble cast
+38 more
  • communicating through song
  • worst picture razzie winner
  • anthropomorphic cat
  • uncanny valley
  • surrealism
  • friend
  • outcast
  • fight
  • singer
  • actor
  • street
  • title sung by character
  • song
  • vignette
  • rescue
  • coming of age
  • dance
  • cockroach
  • 2010s
  • barge
  • river thames
  • anthropomorphic animal
  • cult film
  • based on poem
  • furry
  • one word title
  • title spoken by character
  • troubled production
  • entertainment
  • no title at beginning
  • no opening credits
  • title at the end
  • train track
  • reward poster
  • cat movie
  • based on poetry
  • pop musical
  • ensemble
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Cast & crew

Cats Cast & Characters

Dermot Mulroney leads the cast as Blanket, with Jason Kesser as Goat and Brittany Curran as Goat. Directed by Gary Wang; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Cats

· 1 more
From the director

More from Gary Wang

More films directed by Gary Wang: Tea Pets and The Guardian Brothers.

Full filmography
Ratings

Cats Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Cats 19% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 2.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 27/100, strongest in sensory experience (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (15).

27 /100

Cats Echo Score Breakdown

The film struggles to capture its own narrative momentum and visual coherence. Most reviews described the adaptation as visually distracting, with inconsistent special effects and staging that undermines engagement. While occasional charm was noted in the musical numbers, the overwhelming response highlights poor story adaptation and technical choices. Ultimately, this adaptation fails to deliver a cohesive cinematic experience, reflecting a generally negative consensus.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual design is often criticized for its inconsistent CGI and jarring makeup choices. Critics pointed to garish costume execution and uneven production elements that distract from the intended stylized presentation. Some appreciation was noted for the faithful translation of theatrical design, but the technical shortcomings in editing and staging dominate. The result is a visually unsettled aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances evoke mixed reactions with occasional highlights overshadowed by inconsistent portrayals. Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of ‘Memory’ was noted as a genuine standout, but overall performances suffer under heavy makeup and limited character development. Emotional resonance is hindered by shallow character arcs and uneven chemistry among the ensemble. This aspect ultimately lacks depth and cohesion.

  • Story & Flow 25

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is frequently described as disjointed and uneven, with pacing that fails to sustain engagement. Critics and users alike cited a stale plot structure that departs awkwardly from the original stage production’s strengths. Attempts at introducing a central lead role disrupted the ensemble dynamic and diluted the thematic purpose. Overall, the storyline feels fragmented and lacks coherent momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    When it comes to sensory experience, the soundtrack and musical numbers received occasional praise for catchy melodies, but sound design and visual cohesion were widely seen as problematic. Several observers noted that audio mixing failed to balance vocals and orchestration, while the visual effects undermined the intended immersive atmosphere. The combination of uneven sound quality and disjointed imagery diminishes the overall sensory appeal. This aspect is marked by inconsistency.

  • Rewatch Factor 15

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the film offers minimal incentive for repeated viewing due to its jarring visuals and uneven narrative. Viewers reported that initial watchings left little lasting enjoyment, with any amusement derived largely from unintentional camp value rather than genuine appeal. The lack of emotional resonance and technical shortcomings further diminish potential replay value. Consequently, the film provides very limited rewatch appeal.

Plot

Cats Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Cats from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the shadowy streets of London, an enigmatic bag unexpectedly lands on the cobblestones, unveiling a graceful white cat named Victoria. This captivating feline soon draws the attention of a quirky band of cats known as the Jellicles. Led by Munkostrap (Dermot Mulroney), the group consists of colorful characters including Mr. Mistoffelees and Skimbleshanks, who gather around Victoria, eager to learn more about her.

Full summary

The whole story of Cats, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Cats Box Office & Budget

Cats grossed $75.6 million worldwide on a $95 million budget, 80% of what it cost. $27.2 million came from the US and Canada and $48.4 million (64%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$75.6M

80% of its budget back

US & Canada
$27.2M
International
$48.4M
Budget
$95M
US & Canada 36% Rest of the world 64%
Awards

Cats Awards & Nominations

Cats earned 1 award nomination, including Best Original Song at the Golden Globes 2020.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Cats Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 2 trailers, 4 clips and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 8 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer #2
  • Clip Taylor Swift Sings “Macavity” and Gives the Jellicles Catnip
  • Clip Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat in 4K HDR
  • Clip The Old Gumbie Cat Extended Preview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Cats?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character that is introduced at the beginning of the movie?

Cars

Cars in Cats

5 cars on screen, including the 1937 Austin Big Seven and the 1936 Austin Seven New Ruby.

All 5 cars
  • 1937 Austin Big Seven in Cats 1937 Austin Big Seven Minor role
  • 1936 Austin Seven New Ruby in Cats 1936 Austin Seven New Ruby Minor role
  • Milk float in Cats Milk float Minor role
  • 1937 Austin Big Seven in Cats 1937 Austin Big Seven Background role
Details

Cats Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Cats the Movie” and “Котките”.

Also known as
  • Cats the Movie
  • Котките
  • 캣츠
  • Кішки
  • Кошки
  • Macskák
  • קאטס
  • Koty
  • 貓
  • Những Chú Mèo
  • 猫
  • Мачке
+7 more
  • キャッツ
  • Kaķi
  • Mačke
  • Katės
  • قطط
  • कैट्स
  • แคทส์

Seen Cats?

FAQ

Cats FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Cats, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Cats?

Cats runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).

When was Cats released?

Cats was released on January 24, 2020.

Who directed Cats?

Cats was directed by Gary Wang.

More films by Gary Wang

Who is in the cast of Cats?

Cats stars Dermot Mulroney as Blanket, Jason Kesser as Goat and Brittany Curran as Goat, among 5 credited actors.

How much did Cats make at the box office?

Cats grossed $75.6 million worldwide ($27.2 million domestic, $48.4 million international) on a budget of $95 million.

How is Cats rated?

Cats has 2.8/10 on IMDb, 19% on Rotten Tomatoes, 40% on TMDB and 1.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Cats nominated for any awards?

Cats received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Cats have a post-credit scene?

No. Cats has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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