16 Famous Black Cats in Movies and on TV (From Horror Classics to Family Films)
You might be surprised by just how many famous black cats in movies and on TV have become stars in their own right. Over the years, they’ve been heroes, villains, detectives, alien warriors, loyal companions, and just about everything in between.
Whether you already know the classics or you’re hoping to discover a few hidden gems, these 16 feline stars all have an interesting story to tell.
Jiji — Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) & Kiki’s Delivery Service (2014)
Jiji is the ultimate sidekick. He’s Kiki’s black cat companion, and he doesn’t hold back when it comes to sarcasm. He teases Kiki, gives advice, and sometimes doubts her abilities, but he’s always there when she needs him.
Jiji adds humor and heart to Kiki’s journey of growing up and finding her independence as a witch. He’s more than a pet — he’s a true friend who keeps Kiki grounded while she learns her magical skills.
🐾 Read more: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) review & Kiki’s Delivery Service (2014) review.
Thackery Binx — Hocus Pocus (1993)
Thackery Binx wasn’t always a cat. In 1693, he was a teenage boy whom the Sanderson Sisters cursed after he failed to save his sibling from their clutches. Now, he is doomed to spend eternity in a cat’s body.
Fast-forward 300 years, and he’s still prowling around the witches’ cottage in Salem, protecting the world from their return—until Max, Dani, and Allison accidentally resurrect the witches and turn Salem into chaos.
From then on, our sassy, sarcastic, and fiercely loyal feline is always there to protect the children and to guide them through all the witchy madness.
Behind the scenes, Binx was a mix of real cats (each trained for specific tricks), animatronics for the talking scenes, and early CGI.
Fun fact: the animatronics used for Binx were later repurposed to portray Salem in Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
While the effects are charmingly dated, Binx’s personality is as timeless as ever—making him one of the most beloved cinematic cats.
Salem Saberhagen — Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003) and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018)
Salem Saberhagen is the young witch’s familiar in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996-2003). He’s not just a cat but a wizard punished and transformed into a feline for 100 years.
Salem appears in every episode of the series, serving up sass and class with every scene. He’s attention-seeking, infinitely sarcastic, guilty of gluttony, mildly misogynistic, and outrageously rude. Salem is the life of the party. However, despite his megalomaniac tendencies and selfishness, Salem is unfailingly loyal and helpful to Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart).
One of Salem’s most amusing quirks is his infatuation with both Paula Abdul and Sabrina’s boyfriend, Harvey (Nate Richert), which Sabrina humorously describes as making him a “bi-curious cat” in the original Archie comics that inspired the shows and movies.
The cat was voiced by the iconic comedian Nick Bakay, who also served as a producer and writer on the show. His witty one-liners and over-the-top personality give Sabrina, the Teenage Witch a sharper comedic edge, elevating it from just another cute and entertaining series. Even though Salem is a maniac obsessed with world domination. he will always be remembered as a cherished furry meme and a source of endless quotes.
However, in the 2018 reboot, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, our beloved familiar loses much of his flair, returning to his original role as a non-talking cat—much like in the comics. In this version, a real cat portrays Salem, unlike the hilariously campy animatronic feline of the original series.
Lucifer — Cinderella (1950)
Lucifer is not the kind of cat you’d want as a pet. He belongs to Lady Tremaine, Cinderella’s cruel stepmother, and spends his time making life harder for Cinderella and her animal friends, especially Jaq and Gus. He’s sneaky, sly, and always looking for a chance to cause trouble. In many ways, Lucifer acts as a smaller, furrier version of Lady Tremaine herself, bringing the same sense of cruelty and selfishness into his own little schemes.
This famous black cat was animated by Ward Kimball, one of Disney’s famous “Nine Old Men,” who was known for giving characters strong personalities through expressive movement. The character was partly inspired by Kimball’s own cat, which helped bring some familiar feline habits into Lucifer’s personality.
Even though Lucifer is one of the villains of Cinderella, he’s one of the movie’s most memorable characters.
Felix the Cat — Feline Follies (1919) and other classic shorts
Felix the Cat helped shape the early days of animation. He first appeared in the silent cartoon Feline Follies in 1919, created by animator Otto Messmer and produced by Pat Sullivan.
At a time when animated characters were still finding their place, Felix stood out with his simple design, expressive movements, and playful personality. Audiences around the world quickly connected with him, and he became one of the first animated characters to achieve international fame.
Felix also became one of the first animated characters to appear on merchandise, from toys to comic strips. His success influenced the way studios developed cartoon characters in the decades that followed, especially the idea of giving animated figures strong personalities that audiences could instantly recognize.
The General — The Cat (1992)
In the Hong Kong sci-fi film The Cat, The General is an alien warrior who takes the form of a black cat and joins forces with a writer to stop a dangerous extraterrestrial threat. He has the skills of a fighter and the intelligence of an advanced being.
Based on the Old Cat story from Ni Kuang’s Wisely series, the film mixes sci-fi, action, fantasy, and martial arts in a way that makes The General one of the most unusual feline characters in movie history.
The Cat exists in more than one version. The Hong Kong theatrical version arrived in 1992, while a Japanese version titled Nine Lives (Neko: Nine Lives) used a different lead actor and changed parts of the story. The two versions also feature some differences in characters and scenes.
🐾 Read more: The Cat (1992) movie review.
Pluto — The Black Cat (1966)
Pluto is the pet of the main character in The Black Cat (1966), the first relatively faithful adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous short story.
At first, he seems like an ordinary household cat, but his relationship with his owner becomes the center of the movie’s disturbing events. As his human’s behavior grows more violent and unpredictable, Pluto becomes closely connected to the crime and guilt that follow.
Small Frank — French Exit (2020)
Small Frank is the black cat owned by Frances Price in French Exit (2020), a strange and darkly funny drama starring Michelle Pfeiffer, who believes that the cat carries the spirit of her late husband.
The role came with its own challenges behind the scenes. Director Azazel Jacobs worked with two cats to portray Small Frank and quickly discovered that filming with feline actors required a different approach. He later explained that giving the cats space and allowing them to behave naturally produced better results than trying to control every movement.
Although the character is a cat on screen, actor Tracy Letts provided the “voice” of Franklin.
Cosmic Creepers — Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
Cosmic Creepers is the black cat who lives with Miss Eglantine Price. He quickly becomes part of the film’s magical chaos when Miss Price’s enchanted adventures bring trouble to her quiet home.
The character has a fun connection to Disney’s tradition of memorable feline side characters. Cosmic Creepers spends much of the movie reacting to the strange events around him rather than causing them, giving the story a grounded touch while witches, spells, and animated worlds take over.
Cobweb — Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
Cobweb is the black cat who lives at Gilbert’s Salem Magic Shoppe.
Because the original Hocus Pocus featured the famous talking cat Thackery Binx, many viewers wondered whether this new feline had a connection to him. The answer is no: director Anne Fletcher confirmed that Cobweb is a different character and doesn’t talk.
Instead of repeating Binx’s role, the sequel gives Cobweb his own place in the story. He acts as a small but important link to the magical atmosphere of Salem and the return of the Sanderson Sisters.
Snowball II — The Simpsons (1989–present)
Few fictional cats have had such a complicated identity crisis as Snowball II. Lisa Simpson’s beloved pet started life as the replacement for the original Snowball, who died before the series began. The joke became even stranger years later when Snowball II also died, only for Lisa to adopt another black cat and rename it Snowball II to keep things simple.
That running gag perfectly fits The Simpsons, where ridiculous situations often become completely normal.
Several cats have carried the same name over the years, including Snowball V, who Lisa immediately renames Snowball II again.
Luna — Sailor Moon (1992-1997)
Before Usagi Tsukino discovers her destiny as Sailor Moon, Luna is the one who recognizes her potential. The small black cat with a crescent moon mark on her forehead introduces Usagi to the world of magical warriors, gives her the transformation brooch, and has the difficult job of keeping the team focused.
Luna comes from the Moon Kingdom and has a much bigger role than a typical magical companion. She acts as a guide, strategist, and occasional voice of reason, especially when the Sailor Guardians are still learning what they can do.
Miss Kitty — Batman Returns (1992)
Before Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) becomes Catwoman, her apartment cat, Miss Kitty, is one of the few signs of warmth in her otherwise lonely life. The little black cat belongs to the quiet, overlooked version of Selina that exists before her transformation into Gotham’s most unpredictable thief.
Miss Kitty doesn’t have a large role, but director Tim Burton filled the film with cat imagery, from costumes to movements, and this small detail gives Selina’s connection with felines a personal starting point rather than making it appear out of nowhere.
Miss Kitty Fantastico — Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Every witch needs a familiar, and a black cat is often the prime choice. In the episode “New Moon Rising” (S4.E19-2000), rookie witch Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and her partner Tara (Amber Benson) decide to adopt Miss Kitty Fantastico despite their dormitory’s no-pet policy and Willow’s preference for dogs. Although this adorable pet appears in only a few episodes, it leaves a lasting impression and symbolizes the two women’s growing relationship and the sense of family they create together. However, it is never seen again after the episode “Family” (S5.E6-2000). In season seven, the writers hinted at a tragic crossbow accident.
The Cat — Coraline (2009)
Coraline’s guide through the surreal dangers of the Other World is a nameless black cat. The sharp-tongued feline (voiced by Keith David) seems to know far more about the Other Mother’s dark domain than he lets on. He easily navigates the eerie dimension, slipping between the Other World and the real one as though the rules do not apply to him. His cryptic advice and biting wit often frustrate Coraline, but he is always there to steer her in the right direction—if she’s willing to pay attention.
His most striking moment is Coraline’s showdown with the Other Mother. He leaps onto the villain and claws out her button eyes, an act of heroism that gives Coraline the chance to break free and escape to the safety of the real world.
Bringing the cat to life was no small feat. The LAIKA animation studio crafted the animal with detail. Every flick of its tail, leap, and pointed glare required puppetry, miniature armatures, and frame-by-frame manipulation.
Mr. Kittles — Scary Movie 2 (2001)
In Scary Movie 2, there is a crazy scene where Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris) finds herself in a full-on, fur-flying fistfight with a feline. Cindy is lounging on the bed of a haunted house when a cute black cat casually strolls into the room. It is Mr. Kittles, the resident pet who has “been in the family for generations.” Cindy greets it warmly—but instead of a friendly purr, Mr. Kittles flips her off by giving her the “paw.” Before she can process the feline sass, it leaps onto her, ready for battle.
Cindy nervously chuckles, “I think I know why you’re mad, Mr. Cat. I didn’t mean to go pooping in your litter box.” Mr. Kittles’ eyes widen in shock before it completely loses its mind. It breaks a bottle and brandishes it like it is about to give Cindy an impromptu throat surgery, whacks her with a chair, and then goes full Rocky on her, delivering a flurry of punches straight to her face.
Mr. Kittles is the undisputed victor of the most ridiculous catfight ever and raises its triumphant paws as if it has just won the championship belt.
The Cat — Flow (2024)
The nameless black cat at the center of Flow (2024) carries the entire film. After a devastating flood leaves the world almost unrecognizable, the solitary feline joins a group of unlikely animal companions and learns that survival sometimes depends on trust rather than independence. Without dialogue or human characters, every emotion comes through movement, body language, and remarkably lifelike animation.
Director Gints Zilbalodis based many of the cat’s movements on real feline behavior, spending time studying how cats walk, climb, hesitate, and react to unfamiliar situations. The result feels strikingly authentic, which makes the character easy to connect with.
The film’s unique visual style and emotional storytelling earned widespread acclaim, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
🐾 If you’d like to know more about how Flow came to life, don’t miss our article on 35 Fascinating Facts About Flow, where you’ll discover behind-the-scenes stories, hidden details, and plenty of surprising trivia about one of the most talked-about animated films in recent years.
Final Thoughts
Did your favorite black cats make the list? Share your picks in the comments — we’d love to know which feline characters you think deserve a little more attention.
