If you want a Christmas movie where the cat is more than background decoration, these five films put felines at the center of the plot. Each one gives a cat a real role, whether that is a kitten crew delivering presents, a grumpy celebrity cat on a rescue mission, or a stray that brings two strangers together. The list leans toward made-for-TV and direct-to-DVD releases, so expect modest budgets and very clear, family-friendly storytelling.
What counts as a cat-centered Christmas movie
Many holiday films include a cat for a few seconds. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a familiar example of a holiday comedy where a cat appears briefly without driving the story. The films below use a different standard: a cat is a starring character or the reason the plot happens. Some have a single cat with a personality, and others build the story around a kitten ensemble.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
![Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat / Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2-Movie Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517fXkivFwL._SL160_.jpg)
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Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat / Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2-Movie Collection [DVD] | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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SHOE ADDICT'S CHRISTMAS, A DVD | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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CAT IN THE HAT: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever | $9.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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All I Want For Christmas | $6.98 | Buy on Amazon |
The five picks
Santa Claws (2014)
This family fantasy starts with a Christmas mishap involving Santa and cats. The result is a kitten-led delivery operation: the kittens are swept into the job of getting presents out on time. Maisy’s kittens, Patches, Mittens, and Hairball, form the ensemble, and the story is playful enough for young children. It is the best pick if you want a gentle, magical film the whole household can watch together.
Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever (2014)
This is a sarcastic, irreverent Christmas comedy. Grumpy Cat teams up with a young girl on an adventure to save Christmas, and Aubrey Plaza voices the cat. The humor is drier than most holiday fare, so it suits older kids and adults who find the cat’s deadpan attitude funny. If you want the film in physical form, a DVD edition exists; confirm the current listing and edition before you buy.
#1 Best Overall
The Nine Lives of Christmas (2014)
This romance-oriented holiday film is built around a stray. Firefighter Zachary takes in a cat named Ambrose, and that cat leads him to veterinary student Marilee. The story’s emotional hook depends on the animal, which makes it one of the few romances on this list where the cat is the reason the couple meets.
The Nine Kittens of Christmas (2021)
This is the sequel to The Nine Lives of Christmas. Zachary and Marilee reunite around nine kittens found at the fire station, and the story follows the kittens finding homes while the couple works through their relationship. Watch the first film before this one, because the sequel assumes you know how the pair met.
Rank #2
- A Shoe Addict's Christmas
A Meowy Christmas (2017)
This is the goofiest pick and the most overtly comic. Miss Whiskers, a cat who believes burglars are alien lizard people, sets traps around the house. The film borrows familiar home-invasion comedy beats and adds a talking rat sidekick. It is broad, silly, and best for viewers who enjoy talking-animal comedy.
Compare the five at a glance
| Film | Year | Tone | Cat’s role | Series status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Claws | 2014 | Family fantasy | Kitten ensemble delivers presents after a Santa mishap | Stand-alone |
| Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever | 2014 | Sarcastic comedy | Grumpy Cat, voiced by Aubrey Plaza, joins a girl to save Christmas | Stand-alone |
| The Nine Lives of Christmas | 2014 | Romance-oriented holiday film | Stray cat Ambrose brings firefighter Zachary and vet student Marilee together | First film in the pair’s story |
| The Nine Kittens of Christmas | 2021 | Romance-oriented holiday film | Nine kittens found at the fire station reunite the couple | Sequel to The Nine Lives of Christmas |
| A Meowy Christmas | 2017 | Goofy talking-animal comedy | Miss Whiskers sets traps against supposed alien-lizard burglars | Stand-alone |
How to choose the right one
Answer three questions before you press play:
- What tone do you want? Pick Santa Claws for gentle family fantasy, Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever for dry humor, A Meowy Christmas for slapstick, or the two Nine films for romance.
- Do you want to start a series? The Nine Lives of Christmas comes first, and The Nine Kittens of Christmas only makes sense after it.
- Do you want one cat or a group? Grumpy Cat, Ambrose, and Miss Whiskers are single-cat stories. Santa Claws and The Nine Kittens of Christmas are built around kitten groups.
Where to watch
Streaming and rental availability changes often, and it was not verified for this guide. Check your streaming service or a current rental store before planning a viewing night. Physical copies, such as the DVD of Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever, should also be checked for edition and availability at the time of purchase.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Rank #3
- NCircle Entertainment The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
