Having been a staple of popular culture since he first debuted in the 1978 Jim Davis comic strip, Garfield is one of the world’s most iconic cartoon pets, leading to countless television series, holiday specials, films, and merchandise. Despite its ever-loyal fanbase, only two live-action/CGI feature films were ever made, both starring Bill Murray as the titular feline. Nearly 20 years after the release of the first live-action film, prayers are about to finally be answered as everyone’s favorite lasagna-loving orange cat is finally getting his first theatrically released animated movie.
Ever since it was announced that Alcon Entertainment would be developing a Garfield project in 2016, the production company’s first foray into animation, lovers of the character have waited patiently to hear more. Despite a stuttering first few years of production, the pace picked up in November 2021 with the announcement that Chris Pratt will be voicing the titular feline. Now with more layers of promotional news than a lasagna fit for a king (or cat), it is time for Collider to bring you everything we know so far about The Garfield Movie.
Garfield
- Release Date
- May 24, 2024
- Director
- Mark Dindal
- Cast
- Hannah Waddingham, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, Chris Pratt
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Genres
- Animation, Action, Adventure
- Writers
- jim davis, Paul A. Kaplan, David Reynolds
When Is ‘The Garfield Movie’ Coming Out?
Despite the seemingly ever-changing release window, with a launch date having been previously slated for February 16, 2024, it is now expected that The Garfield Movie will be released theatrically in the US and elsewhere on Friday, May 24, 2024… luckily not a Monday. The film will be debuting during a crowded Memorial Day weekend as two major blockbusters are also slated to release on the same day: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and the Mad Max: Fury Road prequel Furiosa.
Will ‘The Garfield Movie’ Be Available on Streaming?
The Garfield Movie will initially be released exclusively in theaters. Thanks to Sony’s deal with Netflix back in 2021, the movie will eventually become available on the popular streaming service sometime after its theatrical release. Recent Sony titles that have been made available on Netflix include Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and No Hard Feelings.
Is There a Trailer For ‘The Garfield Movie’?
Yes! On November 13, Sony officially released the trailer for The Garfield Movie, and you can watch it above. The trailer opens with a cute baby Garfield desperate to come inside a pizzeria where Jon Arbuckle is eating alone. However, this is all just a ruse to find his next feast as he eventually gulps down the entire menu, setting the comedic tone for the rest of the trailer. A whirlwind adventure is clearly on the cards for Garfield and Odie, as we are first introduced to the canon-altering Vic, Garfield’s father. Garfield and Vic combine to look like a recipe for hilarious disaster, and one full of mischief and mayhem fit for a fun-fueled family adventure.
What Is ‘The Garfield Movie’ About?
The official synopsis for The Garfield Movie reads:
“Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.”
A synopsis oozing animated joy, The Garfield Movie looks to capitalize on the years of canon laid before it, taking the famous feline and thrusting him into his biggest adventure yet.
Who Stars in ‘The Garfield Movie’?
As previously mentioned, Chris Pratt stars as Garfield. Pratt is certainly no stranger to animation considering his recent role in The Super Mario Bros Movie as well as other animated hits like The Lego Movie and Onward.
Shortly after the release of the trailer, Pratt revealed in an Instagram post, that he’s finishing up recording his lines for the animated movie, after having to take a break due to the SAG-AFTRA Strike.
Joining him is Samuel L. Jackson, who will be playing Garfield’s father Vic, a new addition to the Garfield franchise. Strangely, this is not Jackson’s first time playing an animated feline, having also recently appeared in Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank.
Also confirmed to be a part of the voice cast are Ted Lasso stars Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein in undisclosed roles. The rest of the film’s ensemble includes Nicholas Hoult (The Menu), Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning: Part One), Cecily Strong (Schmigadoon!), and Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live). Alongside the release of the trailer, it was confirmed for the first time that What We Do in the Shadows star Harvey Guillén would be voicing Odie.
Who Is Making ‘The Garfield Movie’?
The Garfield Movie marks the animated reunion between director Mark Dindal and writer David Reynolds, with both having previously worked on Chicken Little and The Emperor’s New Groove. Joining Reynolds in the writer’s room are Paul A. Kaplan and Mark Torgrove (Raising Hope), with the likes of John Cohen (The Angry Birds Movie), Broderick Johnson (The Blind Side), Andrew Kosove (Blade Runner 2049), Craig Sost (The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water), Namit Malhotra (Brahmastra Part One: Shiva), and Crosby Clyse (Nimona) serving as producers. Executive producers on the project include Reynolds, Garfield creator Jim Davis, as well as Bridget McMeel (Big Nate), Scott Parish (Blade Runner: Black Lotus), Carl Rogers (Blade Runner 2049), Simon Hedges (Four Lions), Chris Pflug (LEGO Chima), Louis Koo (The Mitchells vs the Machines), Steve Sarowitz (It Ends with Us), Justin Baldoni (Clouds, It Ends With Us), and Peter Luo (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark).
Where To Watch the Bill Murray Garfield Movies
If you, like Garfield waiting for dinner, become impatient and need your feline fix, here are two handy links to stream the live-action Garfield films.
Garfield: The Movie (2004)
The first of the two comes from director Peter Hewitt and was the first time we heard Bill Murray as the voice of Garfield. In the movie, Garfield’s owner Jon (Breckin Meyer) adopts Odie the dog, much to the chagrin of Garfield. Despite Garfield’s bitter jealousy, Odie’s kidnapping leaves him in charge of the rescue mission, as the world’s laziest cat is called into urgent action.
Stream on Disney+
Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties (2006)
This sequel saw the titular tabby Persian head to the United Kingdom, where a case of mistaken identity leaves him to rule the confines of a British castle. However, despite acquiring a fond taste for the high life, Garfield’s dream comes crashing down as he is fought by the evil Lord Dargis (Billy Connolly) for control of the castle.
Stream on Disney+
