“It all started with a Mouse” is the famous Walt Disney saying, but before there was Mickey Mouse there was a rabbit: Oswald the Rabbit. Did you know that even before Oswald, there was actually a cat? Disney cats have been around since the beginning!
Walt created a cat named Julius for the Alice Comedies – an animated series created by Disney in the 1920s. Subsequent to Julius the Cat, Walt and the folks at the Walt Disney company have brought us many, many different Disney cats in wonderful Disney movies over the years.
We will break down some of the more popular Disney Cats in this post.
Disney Cats You Need to Know
Let’s get started with the most notable cats every Disney fan needs to know!
1. – 9. Toulouse, Marie and Berlioz, Duchess, Thomas O’Malley, Shun Gon, Hit Cat, Peppo and Billy Boss – The Aristocats
The first 9 Disney cats on this list all come from the same movie – the Aristocats! The film premiered in 1970 and starred Duchess, an elegant cat with 3 kittens named Toulouse, Marie and Berlioz.
Next we have Thomas O’Malley who is a feral cat who is like a step-father to the kittens while falling in love with Duchess. Also in the movie are Scat Cat, a trumpet playing leader of the jazz playing alley cats including Shun Gon, Hit Cat, Peppo and Billy Boss.
10. Lucifer – Cinderella
Another classic Disney film that had a cat was Cinderella, made in 1950. The evil step mother, Lady Armaine, had a plump cat named Lucifer. Though he never speaks in the movie, Lucifer shows his mean side quite well.
Fun fact about the cat Lucifer: he is the only animal in the entire movie that is against Cinderella and not rooting for her.
(Check out some of everyone’s favorite Cinderella quotes here!)
11. Mittens – Bolt
Mittens come to us in the movie Bolt from 2008. Mittens started out as a family cat who got abandoned by her family. She is now a street cat living in New York City who is strong, independent and the complete opposite of cute and cuddly.
He meets up with a “superhero” pup named Bolt and the adventure begins! Mittens appears to be a tuxedo cat and she has a great New York accent.
12. Bagheera & 13. Shere Khan – The Jungle King
The 1967 movie Jungle Book brings us lovable jungle cats! The big hero cat in this movie is named Bagheera. Bagheera is a blank panther who is the protector and caretaker of the “man cub,” Mowgli.
Bagheera is wise, intelligent and level headed and is a great opposite to Baloo, the goofy, fun loving bear.
Shere Khane is the opposite – he’s the villain in The Jungle Book and just about everyone is scared of him. He’s powerful, suave and charming but also afraid of guns and fire!
14. Sergeant Tibbs – 101 Dalmatians
Another favorite movie is 101 Dalmations! Obviously 101 Dalmatians was all about…..Dalmatian dogs, but there is wonderful cat in it named Sergeant Tibbs.
Sgt Tibbs is a friend of Pongo and Perdita. He courageously searches for the missing puppies.
Want to read some of the best 101 Dalmatians quotes? Head here!
15. Felicia – The Great Mouse Detective
The 1986 film, The Great Mouse Detective features a spoiled, overweight cat named Felicia. She is a typical cat when it comes to mice. She wants to catch them and eat them.
Felicia belongs to Professor Ratigan, the head of a mouse crime organization. Ratigan is able to summon Felicia with a bell, and Felicia eats any mice who are causing Ratigan problems!
16. & 17. Si and Am – Lady and the Tramp
Lady and the Tramp, 1955 gave us the Siamese twins Si and Am. Can you say naughty? They are owned by Aunt Sarah and are often carried around in a picnic basket.
These two cats are horrible mischief makers but they are most noted for the song you probably have in your head right now….”We are Siamese If you Please”.
18., 19., 20., 21. & 22. Scar, Mufasa, Sarabi, Nala, and Simba – The Lion King
Scar, Mufasa, Nala and Simba are all part of the wonderful 1994 film, The Lion King. These Disney characters are some of the most notable cats!
Scar and Mufasa are brothers – Mufasa is married to Sarabi and is the king of the Pride Lands. Simba is Mufasa’s son. Nala is Simba’s best friend, and she assists Simba in taking back the pride from Scar after the death of Mufasa.
Simba, of course is the main character, the star and most loved!
*Head here for the best Lion King quotes!
23. – 27. Kiara, Kovu, Zira, Nuka and Vitani – The Lion King II
If you know and love the first Lion King, chances are you’ve seen the second! There are new cat characters in the second Lion King (as you can imagine).
First up there’s Kiara who is Simba and Nala’s daughter (and also Sarabi and Sarafina’s gradaughter) and is the princess and future queen of the Pride Lands.
She also becomes Kovu’s wife. Kovu is considered the Prince Consort. Kovu actually means “scar” in Swahili and he actually resembles Scar from the first Lion King.
He was initially exiled to the Outlands when Simba became king but you’ll just have to watch the movie to see what happens
In the movie you’ll also see Zira (Kovu’s father), and Nuka and Vitani (Kovu’s brothers).
28. Raja – Aladdin
Raja is Jasmine’s pet tiger in the 1992 movie Aladdin. If you have any ill regard toward Jasmine, Raja will not be your best friend. He is totally devoted to her and is her protector.
29. DC – That Darn Cat
Our first non-animated cat is from the 1965 movie, That Darn Cat. His mischievous behavior actually makes him a hero in the end.
30. Jake – The Cat From Outer Space
The 1978 film, The Cat From Outer Space, introduces us to an Alien named Zunar-J-5/9 Doric-4-7 or Jake for short! Jake arrives from outer space when a flying saucer crashes on earth.
31. Thomasina – The Three Lives of Thomasina
Thomasina is a lovable cat who stars in the Three Lives of Thomasina movie from 1963. This is a classic Walt Disney early motion picture that was non animated.
32. Sassy – Homeward Bound
This 1993 family adventure film centered around 2 dogs and a Himalyan cat named Sassy. When they think their owners left them for good, the trio set out on a harrowing adventure to get back to them.
33. Aslan – The Chronicles of Narnia film series
Last but not the least of the Disney cats is the great lion, King Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia! Aslan is the hero of the Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
34. The Cat from the Black Cauldron – The Black Cauldron
Ok this is one cat you may have not seen before (it’s so under the radar it doesn’t even have a name)!
If you saw the 1985 film The Black Cauldron, you may remember a little orange and white cat that belongs to Dallben. Keep an eye in the background in some of the scenes and you may just see it!
35. Thackery Binx – Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus is a Halloween classic and no better cat than Thackery Binx! This one is a bit wonky when it comes to cats because he’s actually a teenage boy that was turned into a cat.
If you remember the story, he was trying to save his sisters from witches who just happen to be the Sanderson Sisters! He is able to talk like a human and helps get the sisters banished (spoiler alert!).
36. Rufus – The Rescuers
From the movie The Rescuers, Rufus is an older cat in an orphanage who is gruff but lovable. He is friends with Penny, a girl at the orphanage.
He has no interest at all in mice; but he actually befriends and helps Bernard and Bianca, two mice who are searching for clues to find Penny.
37. Big Hero 6 – Mochi
Mochi has a small role in the 2014 feature film Big Hero 6 but he was developed by story artist Kendelle Hoyer who wanted Hiro and Tadashi’s family to have a pet!
38. King Leonidas – Bedknobs and Broomsticks
King Leonidas is the antagonist of Disney’s 1971’s film Bedknobs and Broomsticks who rules the Isle of Naboombu. He’s very sensitive and temperamental but he also adores soccer!
39. Snowball – Hercules
Snowball was not a big character but was in the 1997 animated film, Hercules.
40. Yzma in Cat Form & 41. Jaguars – The Emperor’s New Groove
Yzma is the main antagonist in The Emperor’s New Groove and while she isn’t a cat for most of the film, she does turn into one for a bit after accidentally taking the wrong potion!
She eventually takes the right potion that turns her back into a human but not before falling off a roof.
The jaguars in the Emperor’s New Groove aren’t major characters but they’re much needed in this film!
Kuzco accidentally wakes up the pack of jaguars by taunting them. They get angry and try to eat him, chasing him through the jungle.
42. Charlotte’s Kitten – The Princess and the Frog
In the beginning of the Princess and the Frog Tiana and Charlotte are playing together as young girls. Charlotte is tormenting her kitten by putting a green hat on it.
It ends up escaping and clings to the ceiling until Tiana’s mom saves the day. It helps paint a clear picture of the type of girl Charlotte is!
43. Tarzan – Sabor
Another jungle cat, this time from the movie, Tarzan in 1999! In Tarzan we have the leopard named Sabor. Sabor is a cruel cat who killed both of Tarzan’s parents and is known throughout the jungle as a vicious fighter.
44. Mayor Leodore Lionheart and 45. Mr. Manchas – Zootopia
In 2016 Zootopia brought us Mayor Lionheart who is the Mayor of the kingdom of Zootopia. The mayor is noble and inspiring even if he loosens his reigns at times. As his name suggests, the mayor is a lion!
There’s also an additional cat in Zootopia, a black jacquar who works for the city’s limo service. He doesn’t have a big part but he is one of the citizens infected with the Night Howler SIckness.
46. & 47. & 48. King Richard and Prince John and Flute Cat – Robin Hood
The 1973 animated film Robin Hood brought us two brothers, King Richard and his little brother Prince John. Both are lions and that is where the similarities end.
Prince John is a coward and a crybaby and has taken over the throne from his brother. Prince John doesn’t care about the people and rules cruelly. King Richard is a good king, kind and forgiving.
The Flute Cat doesn’t have a big part in Robin Hood but you won’t miss him! When the characters are dancing around the Sherwood Forest he’s the one who plays the flute (naturally!).
49. Parce (Antonio’s Jaguar) – Encanto
Antonio is Mirabel’s brother in the 2021 animated feature film Encanto and someone who has a deep love and understanding for animals.
He has a jaguar in his special room that lets him ride on his back and communicates with him.
50. Mr. Mittens – Soul
Mr Mitens is a therapy cat who accompanies Joe Gardner while his body is in the hospital. He is thrown from his body when Joe Gardner’s soul falls into Mr. Mitten’s body instead of his own body when he returns to Earth.
Don’t worry, he eventually he gets back to his body!
51. Pepita – Coco
Mama Imelda’s spirit animal is Pepita, a winged tiger who, at the end of the movie, crosses the bridge on the Dia de los Muertos with Dante the dog. Pepita then lives with the family and joins in on all the fun!
52. Sox – Lightyear
Sox is Buzz’s personal companion robot! While yes, he’s a robot cat, he acts just like a real cat, purring, getting distracted by lasers and rubbing up against people’s legs.
53. Serlot – Raya and the Last Dragon
Serlot is a catlike creature that is mostly seen with Fang Troops in the film Raya and the Last Dragon. They hate water (like most cats do).
54. Oliver – Oliver & Company
The 1988 movie Oliver & Company gave us Oliver the cat. He is a shy kitten living on the streets in New York City befriending a dog named Dodger. He has quite an adventure before finally finding his way out of the streets.
55. Tigger – Winnie the Pooh
Yes, Tigger is a tiger, which makes him a cat! Winnie the Pooh’s lovable bouncing tiger is always around for happiness and joy.
Outgoing and with mountains of energy, Tigger truly lives in the moment which is inspiring for children. No wonder he is such a favorite!
56. & 57. Figaro & Honest John – Pinocchio
Of all the full-length animated films that Disney made, Figaro was the very first cat. He is in the 1940’s movie Pinocchio. Interestingly enough, Figaro was also Minnie Mouse’s cat. He definitely gets around.
Speaking of Pinocchio, there is another new cat in the movie that plays the antagonist with his partner, Honest John. His name is Gideon and let’s just say he’s a pretty bad guy!
58. & 59. Dinah and the Cheshire Cat – Alice in Wonderland
Dinah is Alice’s pet kitten in Alice In Wonderland, brought to us in 1951. She didn’t have much of a role after Alice falls down the rabbit hole and we don’t see her again until the end.
The Cheshire Cat is who we meet when Alice falls down the rabbit hole in Alice In Wonderland.
This talking, big grinned, mischievous feline pops in and out during the movie. He is mostly known for his mischievous grin and his image is immediately associated with Alice in Wonderland.
That sums it up! Disney cats are throughout all of the Disney movies – beginning with the classics and right up to today. Start noticing everyone’s favorite Disney cats in Disney movies – you might be surprised at who you find!
You can find almost all of these cat movies on Disney Plus – you can check out our favorite films here!
Looking for more fun Disney trivia? Did you know that there is actually a hotel room in Cinderella’s castle in Disney World? Check out these 20 secrets about Cinderella’s Castle!