Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish sends the swashbuckling feline into an unexpected crisis when he realizes eight of his nine lives are gone, leaving him with a single, precarious life. Facing his own mortality, he sets off to track down the fabled Last Wish that might restore what he's lost. Along the way he crosses paths with old flames, unlikely companions, and dangerous adversaries, and the movie blends big action set pieces with quieter moments of reflection. The tone shifts from slapstick heists to quieter, tender moments that let characters reflect on legacy and fear. It's a fast, funny ride that balances sword fights and slapstick with questions about fear, bravery, and what it means to live well.

Directed by Joel Crawford and released in 2022, the film was created by Tommy Swerdlow, Tom Wheeler, and Paul Fisher. Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of Puss, joined by Salma Hayek Pinault, Harvey Guillén, Wagner Moura, and Florence Pugh.

Last Wish helped reenergize the Puss in Boots character, inspiring fan art, cosplay, and lively online discussion about its darker but playful tone. Several animated sequences and the film's visual style became widely shared, while the character's lament about lost lives entered casual conversation among fans and spawned fan theories.

Critics and audiences gave the movie strong praise, reflected in an 8.208/10 vote average from thousands of ratings. Reviewers highlighted its smart mix of comedy and serious stakes, along with heartfelt themes about mortality, friendship, bravery, and learning to appreciate each day without sugarcoating its emotional weight, and striking palette.

The film earned several industry nominations, most notably an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. It also received recognition from critics associations and animation groups, which praised its art direction and storytelling, though it didn't sweep major awards ceremonies. It was frequently mentioned in year-end lists and animated roundups.