Best Documentaries About Cats
I’ve watched a lot of documentaries about cats, and I can confidently say there’s a lot more to the genre than internet compilations or cute kitten clips. Cat documentaries go far beyond fluff; they reveal how cats shape cultures, comfort humans, and create communities around the world. Some focus on the bond between people and their pets, while others dive into the realities of street cats, rescue missions, and the unique ways different countries treat their feline populations.
In this list, I’ve rounded up some of the most thoughtful, moving, and visually stunning cat documentaries available today. Whether you’re curious about how Istanbul’s street cats coexist with city life, how a group of volunteers pulled off an international rescue mission, or what it’s like to show cats competitively, these films cover it all. Each one offers a fresh perspective, and together they prove just how much we still have to learn about our feline companions.
Cat Documentary Giveaway
Before we dive into the best documentaries about cats, you have a chance to win a Blu-ray of 25 Cats From Qatar (featured below), a brand-new documentary about un unprecedented cat rescue mission in the Middle East. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway is open worldwide and ends August 31.
a Rafflecopter giveawayKedi (2016)
Kedi documents the lives of seven street cats in Istanbul and the people who care for them. Director Ceyda Torun uses a cat’s-eye view to capture how deeply woven cats are into the cultural and emotional fabric of the city.
The film does not follow a traditional narrative. Instead, it moves fluidly through neighborhoods, letting the cats’ routines and the citizens’ reflections tell the story.
Kedi became a surprise art-house success and helped popularize international interest in cat-focused documentaries.
Check out my review of the cat documentary Kedi and my interview with its director, Ceyda Torun.
25 Cats From Qatar (2025)
25 Cats From Qatar follows an international rescue mission to relocate 25 street cats from Doha to Milwaukee. Director Mye Hoang documents the four-day effort led by the founder of Sip & Purr (one of the cat cafés in Wisconsin) and several grassroot volunteers.
In Qatar, more than three million stray cats live in harsh, urban environments with little legal protection or shelter support. The film tracks the selection process, medical evaluations, flight logistics, and final adoptions of the rescued cats. It also highlights the growing concern for feral cat populations in the Gulf and the power of international cooperation. Without dramatic embellishment, the film offers a logistical and emotional look into what it takes to relocate animals across continents for a better life.
Check out my review of the documentary 25 Cats From Qatar and my interview with its director, Mye Hoang.
Cats of Malta (2023)
Cats of Malta takes viewers through the streets of Valletta, where cats live semi-feral but enjoy the protection of locals and volunteers. Director Sarah Jayne Portelli crafts a visually rich and community-centered narrative, showing how cats have become symbols of care, tourism, and even creativity.
The documentary highlights specific colonies, particularly those around historical sites and residential neighborhoods. Interviews with feeders, craftspeople, and NGO leaders give context to the island’s long-standing cat culture, while scenic cinematography captures Malta’s architectural beauty alongside its feline population.
Check out my review of the cat documentary Cats of Malta and my interview with its director, Sarah Jayne Portelli. Together with Sarah Jayne, I’ve also compiled a Malta sightseeing itinerary for cat lovers.
Cat Daddies (2022)
Cat Daddies profiles eight men across the United States whose lives have been deeply shaped by their relationships with cats.
Director Mye Hoang (from 25 Cats From Qatar) introduces firefighters, a truck driver, a homeless man, and others from diverse walks of life, showing how each man has found comfort, healing, or purpose through their feline companions. One standout story follows a construction worker whose Instagram-famous cat, Tora, travels with him to job sites.
The film doesn’t just feature pet stories, though. It highlights how men, often not seen as stereotypical cat people, form emotional connections with their pets that break social norms.
The documentary also touches on broader issues like housing insecurity, mental health, and the COVID-19 pandemic, framing the cat-human bond as a stabilizing force.
Check out my review of the Cat Daddies documentary.
Cat Nation: A Film About Japan’s Crazy Cat Culture (2017)
Cat Nation explores Japan’s deep cultural fascination with cats. Host and narrator Tim Delmastro travels across Japan to visit cat cafés, cat islands, specialty shops, and even a temple dedicated to cats.
The documentary offers a sociological lens on why cats occupy such a beloved space in Japanese society, ranging from kawaii (cuteness) culture to Shinto symbolism. The film introduces artists, business owners, and shrine caretakers who incorporate cats into daily life, showing how these animals inspire everything from merchandise to religious offerings.
Check out my review of Cat Nation: A Film About Japan’s Crazy Cat Culture.
Final thoughts
That’s my list of the best cat documentaries, but I know there are so many more out there. If you have a favorite cat documentary, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Also, don’t forget to share this article with your cat-loving friends (you know the ones) and post it on social media so more people can discover these amazing stories about our favorite furry companions.
Cats rule no matter where they are from. Love them all.
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25 Cats from Qatar is a great movie! I haven’t seen the others. I’ll have to see if I can track them down 🙂