Nine Lives 2016

Fantasy

Comedy

Family

Rank

#14,709

Box Office

$58M

Budget

$30M

Runtime

87 min

Language

English

Directed by

Barry Sonnenfeld

Made by

EuropaCorp USA

Where to Watch Nine Lives

See current US streaming, rental, and purchase options for Nine Lives (2016) via JustWatch.

HBO Max Amazon Channel

Amazon Video

Apple TV Store

Fandango At Home

Google Play Movies

YouTube

Streaming availability powered by

Test your knowledge of Nine Lives with our quiz!

Nine Lives Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Nine Lives (2016). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Tom Brand Kevin Spacey is a powerhouse in New York City’s corporate world, whose relentless drive has strained his relationships. His first marriage to Madison has fallen apart, and his adult son David Robbie Amell now works for him, hoping for his approval. Tom lives with his second wife Lara Jennifer Garner and their daughter Rebecca Talitha Bateman, while he pushes forward on a landmark project: FireBrand, the tallest skyscraper in the northern hemisphere that will house his new headquarters. In a dramatic opening sequence, Tom skydives from a plane and lands atop the gleaming tower, even as David remains in the plane, reluctant to take the leap himself.

For Rebecca’s 11th birthday, Tom has long refused to get a cat, but he resolves to surprise her rather than disappoint her. At the quirky Purrkins Pet Shop, the eccentric owner Felix Perkins Christopher Walken tells him a cat chooses its owner, not the other way around. The tomcat who selects him is named Mr. Fuzzypants, and after Felix notes he has used up seven of his nine lives, Tom buys the curious feline and sets off toward home.

On the way back, Tom meets Ian Cox Teddy Sears, a top manager in charge of the new building, and an argument on the rooftop leads to Tom firing him. A bolt of lightning strikes the antenna, and Tom is blown off the roof along with the cat. Miraculously, Tom’s body ends up in a hospital coma, while his consciousness is trapped inside Mr. Fuzzypants, the cat. Felix explains that Tom’s mind now inhabits the feline form, and he warns him to reevaluate his priorities within a week, or risk remaining a cat forever.

As Tom inhabits the cat, his new reality unfolds before him. He tries to communicate with Lara and Rebecca, who are baffled by his sudden change in behavior, and his antics begin to drive them to the edge of frustration. Tom’s perspective shifts as he begins to see how deeply he has ignored his family in favor of work. He also uncovers a painful truth: Lara Jennifer Garner has been having an affair with model Josh Myers Mark Consuelos, and they have been scouting houses together in preparation for a possible divorce. Meanwhile, Ian Cox Teddy Sears is maneuvering behind the scenes to take control of the company by going public, with the board supporting his bid—an effort that David tries to block.

A breakthrough comes when Rebecca realizes the cat is really her father in disguise. Yet Tom’s physical body remains in crisis in the hospital, and Lara, Rebecca, and David all rush there. Rebecca secretly hides Mr. Fuzzypants in her backpack, hoping for proof. In a pivotal moment, David apologizes to Tom for failing to save the company and takes Tom’s employee badge, hinting at a dangerous plan to end his life at the tower. Lara and Dr. Cole discuss a DNR order, while Rebecca pleads with the cat to prove he is truly Tom. Remembering Felix’s teaching that love involves sacrifice, Rebecca makes a fateful choice and saves David instead, sacrificing Tom’s chance to fully regain his humanity.

At the tower, David makes a dramatic move: he jumps, and the cat follows him, using a cable to reach him. It’s revealed that David is wearing a BASE jumping parachute. He lands in the middle of the reception party, unfurls the company’s articles of incorporation, and announces that he now controls 51% of the stock. The company will remain family-owned, and Ian is fired.

Tom awakens from his coma just in time to witness David’s corporate victory on the television screen. Meanwhile, Ian is struck by a car, and his consciousness transfers into a cat that Felix takes back to his shop. Tom and Rebecca return to Felix, where Tom asks if he can have a dog. Felix, with a gentle smile, says he does not, but reveals that Mr. Fuzzypants now has one life left. The film closes on a note of reconciliation and continued family ownership, with Tom learning to balance ambition with the needs of those he loves.

Nine Lives Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Nine Lives (2016) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Tom's skydiving entrance to the new skyscraper

Tom Brand skydives from a plane and lands on the top of FireBrand's upcoming skyscraper, signaling the building's audacious ambition. Meanwhile, his son David stays in the plane, reluctant to jump. The moment establishes Tom's reckless triumphalism and the distance in his family.

Opening scene New York City – top of FireBrand skyscraper

Rooftop clash ends with Tom's fall

Tom confronts Ian Cox on the rooftop and fires him. A lightning strike hits the antenna, blasting Tom off the edge. His leg catches on stray equipment and he is flung back inside, collapsing as he loses consciousness.

Rooftop confrontation Top of the FireBrand skyscraper

Consciousness shift into Mr. Fuzzypants

Tom's human body remains in a hospital coma while his consciousness inhabits the cat Mr. Fuzzypants. He becomes aware of his bizarre new reality and watches his family and colleagues from within the animal body. The switch sets the stage for him to reconnect with his loved ones and reflect on his life priorities.

Soon after the fall Hospital – NYC

Felix delivers the rules of the new life

Felix Perkins, the quirky pet-shop owner, visits Tom in cat form and explains the rules of his predicament. He warns that Tom has one week to reevaluate his priorities or remain a cat forever. The encounter marks the first outside guidance Tom receives about his situation.

Shortly after the transfer Hospital room

Family brings home the cat, suspicion grows

Lara and Rebecca bring Mr. Fuzzypants home, and the cat acts oddly to mimic Tom's behavior in a bid to convince them who he is. The family grows increasingly unsettled by the cat's uncanny resemblance and stubborn personality. Tom senses the pull of his old life and the emotional work ahead.

Days after the transfer Lara's home

Lara's affair and the business stakes

Tom discovers Lara has been cheating with model Josh Myers and that they are considering houses together as a prelude to divorce. The revelation intensifies his motivation to repair his family bonds from within the cat's body. It also gives him a personal stake in the business crisis now unfolding around him.

While in cat form Hospital room

Ian's power grab and David's resistance

Ian accelerates plans to take FireBrand public with the board's help, hoping to push Tom aside. David fights to stop him but is fired and marginalized. Ian plans to announce the sale at the opening party for the new tower, raising the stakes of the corporate coup.

Around the corporate crisis FireBrand offices and boardroom

Rebecca realizes the cat is Tom

Rebecca gradually realizes that Mr. Fuzzypants is actually Tom in disguise. Her discovery deepens the emotional reconciliation she will seek and foreshadows the eventual family acceptance. The cat's behavior becomes the bridge linking Tom's two worlds.

As the mystery deepens Family home

The hospital confrontation and a dangerous implication

David apologizes to Tom in the hospital for failing to save the company and takes Tom's ID badge, implying he intends to end his own life at the tower. The moment underscores the fragile mental state of the characters and the personal cost of the corporate battle. Tom, trapped in a cat's body, can only witness.

During the hospital crisis Hospital

The act of sacrifice

Rebecca asks the cat to prove he's Tom, but in a moment of selfless love, the cat chooses to save David instead of regaining his humanity. Felix's words about sacrifice echo as the choice reshapes the future of the Brand family. The moment marks a turning point in Tom's quest to reconnect with his loved ones.

Hospital showdown Hospital

David's tower stunt and corporate shift

At the tower's opening party, David dives from the tower and the cat pulls a rescue cable, revealing he is wearing a BASE jumping parachute. He lands at the party and announces that he now controls 51% of the stock. He declares the company will remain a family business and fires Ian, reshaping FireBrand's leadership in front of the guests.

Tower party moment Tower opening party

Tom wakes to the televised coup

Tom wakes from his coma just in time to see David's stock-control revelation on television. The family drama continues to unfold at home as Tom reassesses his role and the true meaning of leadership. The result is a reconciled but evolving dynamic for the Brand family.

Immediately after the party Hospital and TV room

Ian's fate and another transfer

Ian, ignoring Felix's warning, is struck by a car and his consciousness transfers into a cat that Felix takes back to his shop. This twist expands the ongoing body-swap theme and hints at more changes to come.

Following Ian's encounter Streets of NYC; Felix's shop

Final life and the future with Mr. Fuzzypants

Tom and Rebecca return to Felix and learn that Mr. Fuzzypants has one life left. Tom asks if Felix has any dogs, only to be told the shop specializes in cats, adding a humorous note to the ending. The film closes with the possibility that Tom's humanity could be restored in a future life.

Ending scene Felix's pet shop

Nine Lives Characters

Explore all characters from Nine Lives (2016). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Tom Brand

A ruthless NYC business tycoon and founder of FireBrand who treats family as a distraction from his empire. His consciousness ends up trapped in his cat's body, forcing him to reevaluate his priorities and fight for a second chance at life with his loved ones.

🏢 Boss ❤️ Family 🧭 Identity

Lara Brand

Tom's second wife, more tolerant of his absence yet emotionally strained by his neglect. She becomes involved in infidelity and company turmoil, complicating the path to reconciliation and forcing tough personal decisions.

💔 Marriage 🏢 Power 🕊️ Forgiveness

David Brand

Tom's adult son who works for the company and tries to thwart Ian's takeover. He is willing to take drastic steps to protect the family business, revealing the generational tension and the stakes of leadership.

🧭 Rebellion 🏢 Family business 🗡️ Conflict

Rebecca Brand

Tom and Lara's daughter, an observant and loyal child who loves her cat and ultimately helps uncover her father's true identity. She represents the heart of the family and the emotional stakes at play.

🐾 Family ❤️ Affection 🧭 Identity

Ian Cox

A top manager plotting to take the company public and push Tom out, working behind the scenes to consolidate power. He is fired and the narrative follows his fall from grace (and his consciousness transferring to a cat).

🏢 Antagonist 🧭 Ambition 🔄 Rivalry

Felix Perkins

The eccentric owner of Purrkins Pet Shop who can talk to Tom and serves as a moral guide. He warns about the consequences of neglecting loved ones and hints at the magical realism behind the nine lives motif.

🪄 Mentor 🐾 Magic 🧭 Wisdom

Josh Myers

Lara's model lover who is involved in the home-hunting subplot and serves as a catalyst for Lara's marital conflict.

💋 Temptation 🏢 Temptation 🧭 Conflict

Dr. Cole

Hospital physician involved in Tom's medical crisis and the plan around his potential DNR decision. She represents medical perspective in the recovery arc.

🏥 Medicine ⚖️ Ethics 🕊️ Care

Mr. Fuzzypants

The mysterious cat that ultimately carries Tom's consciousness and becomes the vessel through which the family discovers the truth about Tom.

🐱 Animal 🧭 Transformation

Nine Lives Settings

Learn where and when Nine Lives (2016) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Present day

The events take place in contemporary times within a fast-paced corporate environment and modern urban life. Scenes in hospital, boardrooms, and the construction site reflect current technology and business dynamics. The setting emphasizes a current-era drama where personal priorities clash with corporate goals.

Location

New York City, Chicago, Purrkins Pet Shop

The primary setting is New York City, where FireBrand's skyline-skyscraper dominates the urban landscape. The drama unfolds across rooftop confrontations, hospital corridors, and the quirky Purrkins Pet Shop. A secondary location in Chicago marks a rival building project, underscoring the high-stakes world of corporate power. The cityscape blends modern ambition with intimate family moments, grounding the story in a contemporary urban vibe.

🏙️ Urban city 🗽 Iconic skyline 🐾 Pet shop

Nine Lives Themes

Discover the main themes in Nine Lives (2016). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

❤️

Family

Tom's work-centric lifestyle fractures his relationship with Lara and Rebecca. The cat-inhabited body forces him to reconnect with his loved ones and confront the consequences of neglect. The arc centers on forgiveness, reconciliation, and the enduring value of familial bonds over professional success.

🏢

Ambition

The race to complete a monumental skyscraper and to push FireBrand toward a public future drives the central conflict. Ian's takeover bid and the power struggle threaten the family's control of the company. The plot probes the costs of ambition when it overrides human connections.

🧭

Identity

Tom's consciousness inhabiting a cat's body creates a fluid sense of self and perspective. He experiences life from an entirely different creature's point of view, challenging what defines who he is. The swap uses identity as a lens to explore empathy, humility, and personal change.

🕊️

Sacrifice

Love and family demand sacrifice, a recurring motif echoed by Felix's lesson and the characters' choices. The narrative culminates in acts where personal gain yields to protecting loved ones, reaffirming that true redemption often comes at a personal cost.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore the mobile app

Nine Lives Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Nine Lives (2016). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the glittering skyline of New York, billionaire Tom Brand dominates the corporate world with an ambitious vision that towers over everything—including his own family. A relentless work ethic and a lofty skyscraper project have left his relationships frayed: his first marriage to Madison is a memory, his adult son David works for him more for approval than love, and his second wife Lara and young daughter Rebecca linger on the periphery of his relentless pursuits. The film establishes a sleek, high‑stakes environment where ambition shines as brightly as the city lights, but the cost of that brilliance is felt in quiet, everyday moments.

A chance visit to an eccentric pet shop introduces Felix Perkins, a quirky proprietor who claims that a cat chooses its owner, not the other way around. When Tom acquires a seemingly ordinary tomcat, the ordinary quickly turns extraordinary: a sudden accident leaves his consciousness inhabiting the feline’s body. This surreal transformation thrusts him into an intimate, low‑to‑the‑ground perspective that contrasts starkly with his usual high‑rise view of the world.

Now forced to navigate life as a cat, Tom must grapple with the very relationships he has neglected. The tone blends light‑hearted whimsy with a reflective undercurrent, inviting the audience to wonder how a change of form might reshape a man’s priorities. As he watches his family from a new angle, the film teases the possibility of rediscovered connections, suggesting that love and responsibility can surface in the most unexpected of guises.

Rebecca, ever observant, senses that something familiar lingers beneath the feline’s whiskers, hinting at an unspoken bond that could bridge the gap between the towering ambitions of a mogul and the simple, heartfelt moments of family life. The story promises a journey of self‑discovery, humor, and the gentle reminder that sometimes the biggest leaps begin with the smallest steps.

Can’t find your movie? Request a summary here.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.