The Garfield Movie

Garfield is living the easy life, preferring sofas and lasagna to anything that requires effort. That comfortable routine is interrupted when his rough-and-tumble father Vic turns up out of the blue, pulling Garfield and his loyal canine companion Odie into a chaotic outdoor caper. What starts as an uneasy reunion quickly becomes a high-energy heist, full of unexpected obstacles, streetwise allies, and plenty of comedy. The film keeps the stakes clear and the tone light, trading Garfield’s indoor lethargy for unpredictable city shenanigans while preserving the character’s trademark sarcasm and appetite.

Directed by Mark Dindal and released in 2024, the animated feature adapts Jim Davis’ long-running comic strip, with story contributions from Mark Torgove and Paul A. Kaplan and a star voice cast led by Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, and Nicholas Hoult.

The movie opened wide and targeted family audiences, translating that appeal into a healthy theatrical run internationally, and reinforcing the commercial pull of familiar animated properties without relying on niche marketing gimmicks.

By bringing a classic comic character into contemporary animation, the film prompted renewed interest in the original strip and sparked social media chatter, memes, and a fresh wave of merchandising. Fans appreciated seeing iconic traits updated for a modern audience while retaining Garfield’s core identity.

Audience reception leaned positive, reflected by a 7.023/10 average from 1,375 votes, with viewers and many critics praising the vocal performances and bright animation. Opinions varied on pacing and plot density, but most agreed it delivers family-friendly laughs and a warm center. Themes include the tension between comfort and change, the idea of family beyond blood ties, and learning to take risks, all wrapped in broad humor that parents and kids can enjoy together.