Every June 4th, some cat parents celebrate Hug Your Cat Day, an adorable day dedicated to giving your feline companions affection and love with some cute little cuddles. As a way to celebrate, we’ve compiled five purr-fect and paw-some films for you to watch to celebrate the beautiful relationship between cats and humans.
Snuggle up with your cat as you enjoy these five movies about our feline friends that will make you want to hug your pets a little tighter:
1. Flow
Winner of the Oscar for Best Animated Feature this year, Flow tells the story of a cat living through what seems to be a post-apocalyptic world devoid of humans where the water level continues to rise, forcing animals of all kinds to work together. Told entirely without dialogue, Flow is a touching and beautiful film about survival and working with others and overcoming our differences.
2. Keanu
Keanu is a hilarious (hiss-terical), action-packed comedy about the extraordinary lengths people will go for their beloved pets. Jordan Peele stars as Rell, who instantly bonds with a kitten that appears on his doorstep, naming him Keanu. When Keanu is catnapped by local gangsters, Rell enlists his cousin Clarence, played by Keegan-Michael Key, for a wild rescue mission filled with comedic chaos.
3. Kiki’s Delivery Service
Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki's enchanting coming-of-age story follows Kiki, a young witch, and her chatty black cat companion, Jiji. On her 13th birthday, Kiki (along with Jiji) must embark on a traditional rite of passage, flying off to find a new home. When Kiki temporarily loses her magical abilities, she questions her identity and purpose but with Jiji’s help and newfound friends, she rediscovers her confidence and spirit.
4. Kedi
This touching and big-hearted Turkish documentary captures the fascinating lives of Istanbul’s street cats and the humans dedicated to their care. The film follows different cats, all with their own distinct personalities, navigating the vibrant city streets with charm and curiosity. It’s an emotionally uplifiting documentary that highlights community, compassion, and the profound bond between cats and people.
5. A Quiet Place: Day One
In the prequel to the horror series A Quiet Place, we follow Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) and her pet cat Frodo as they fight to survive in a world invaded by aliens who attack anything that makes a sound. Sam’s determination to protect Frodo highlights the extraordinary bonds we form with our pets, even in the direst circumstances. Interestingly, Nyong’o overcame her own fear of cats during filming, eventually adopting one herself!
These five claw-some films remind us of the joy, companionship, and unconditional love cats bring into our lives. After watching, you'll definitely feel inspired to give your feline friend the biggest (or gentlest) hug they'll allow. Have a meow-velous Hug Your Cat Day!