’The Garfield Movie’ Claws Its Way to No. 1
Columbia Pictures and Alcon Entertainment's family comedy "The Garfield Movie" has proven to be a purr-fect hit with audiences. Directed by Mark Dindal (known for "The Emperor's New Groove" and "Chicken Little"), the PG-rated film secured the top spot at the box office in its second week, a remarkable achievement for the iconic lasagna-loving cat.
The film has already grossed an impressive $51.5 million domestically and a staggering $152.2 million globally. With an 80 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it's clear that "The Garfield Movie" has struck a chord with viewers of all ages.
Chris Pratt voices the beloved feline, who finds himself on a wild adventure after an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, the scruffy street cat Vic, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson. Joined by his canine friend Odie, Garfield is forced to leave his pampered life behind and join Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.
“The best animated film of the year.” The Hollywood Handle
The star-studded cast, including Nicholas Hoult, Jinx, Cecily Strong, Snoop Dogg and Bowen Yang, has brought the beloved comic strip characters to life in a way that honors the original comic strip. In fact, Jim Davis, the creator of “Garfield” said so himself, saying the film “really came together to tell the story the way it should be told.” Screen Rant agreed, writing: "’The Garfield Movie’ perfectly captured Jim Davis' signature comedy style, reflecting the essence of his beloved comic strips.”
Arriving over a decade after the 2004 film "Garfield: The Movie" starring Bill Murray, "The Garfield Movie" has revived the franchise in spectacular fashion. First published nationwide in 1978, the Garfield comic strip was based on Davis' grandfather, James Garfield Davis, whom he described as "a large, cantankerous man." As of 2013, it holds the Guinness World Record for being the world's most widely syndicated comic strip.
“The Garfield Movie” is playing in theaters now and will be available for licensing from Swank soon.