Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies is the ultimate movie guide for cat lovers and cinephiles. Whether you are a fan of spine-chilling horror, fantasy worlds filled with cats, or the sudden thrill of a cat jumpscare, this comprehensive book has everything you need.
Explore an extensive list of cat horror movies that will leave you on the edge of your seat. From the eerie and mysterious to the downright terrifying, our furry friends are the central figures in these hidden gems and cult classics.
But the magic does not stop at horror. Meow! also delves into the most famous cat-centric sci-fi and fantasy movies. Find cats that have inspired fantastical adventures, mythical journeys, and futuristic sagas. This guide highlights a curated selection of films where cats play pivotal roles, embodying everything from magical felines to alien beings.
Key
Extensive Cat Movie A meticulously curated list of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy movies featuring cats (including short films), perfect for those seeking a thrilling feline fix or want to know more about the roles of cats in fantasy realms and futuristic adventures.
Best Cat Detailed descriptions of iconic cat jumpscares and other memorable cat scenes, short films, and TV episodes that have left audiences gasping.
Behind-the-Scenes Fascinating trivia and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of these movies.
Recommendations and Expert reviews and personal recommendations to help you choose your next movie night pick.
Whether you are searching for the purr-fect horror movie, are interested in the role of mythology in these tales, or love all things feline, Meow! is your go-to resource. Get your copy today!
Vanessa Morgan is an author, screenwriter, and blogger. Two of her works, The Strangers Outside and A Good Man, have been turned into films. Her short film script Next to Her is currently in pre-production. When she's not working on her latest book, you can find her reading, watching horror movies, digging through flea markets, or photographing felines for her blog Traveling Cats.
"Vanessa Morgan has the gift of pacing and spookiness" - Scott Nicholson, author of They Hunger and The Farm
"A startling new voice in horror" - Lucky McKee, director of May and The Woods
“Beware the purring creature that sleeps on your couch—it might be plotting your doom.“
This is a movie guide centering on cats in horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy films. While I am only an occasional horror movie fan, I am a cat person. So when the opportunity popped up to review this book, I said yes.
In the short and informative introduction we get to read about: The Ancient Link Between Cats and the Supernatural, The Dark Side of Cats, Feline Terrors: Cat Monsters from Around the World and The Global Impact of Cats in Films.
The movie reviews start with a title, year and still photography of the movie and then give a plot summary. Apparently the paperback has a lot more photos than the digital version I read.
Movies are presented and discussed in chronological order. We start in 1936 with „THE CASE OF THE BLACK CAT“. We also get summaries of the books (if applicable) a movie is based on, which is a lot more interesting to me as a reader. There is information about history and mythology in these reviews as well, which again is interesting for nerds like me and maybe TMI for the readers purely looking for movie recaps.
My highlight: I got to read about movies by Roger Corman and with Vincent Price and Peter Cushing!
In the early 80s we finally get a Stephen King adaptation (with a very young Drew Barrymore), culminating in Pet Sematary (1989 & 2019). Not sure I ever saw the 2019 version?
Then there is Felidae in 1994–I read that when the book came out in 1989. At that time there were not a lot of sentient, talking cats around. Francis was special.
Samurai Cat sounds tempting! And a Catnado? There is certainly no lack of odd movies… There are four more movies called THE BLACK CAT. All those poor, black cats!
About half of the movies are from the US, followed by a decent amount of movies from Japan and the UK and roughly 20 other countries. I found the high amount of Japanese movies unusual and interesting.
In the second half of the book is an appendix detailing additional kitty scenes in movies, anthology segments or TV scenes. I found this a little confusing at first and couldn‘t figure out what I was looking at. More black cats, more Roger Corman, some Star Trek and Jonesy from Alien!
An entertaining reference book. Mileage might vary with your degree of geekiness.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.
Information received by the author:
Genre: non-fiction, cats, horror, supernatural Release date: February 7, 2025 (Kindle version now available for pre-order at 50% off)
Blurb:
Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies is the ultimate movie guide for cat lovers and cinephiles. Whether you are a fan of spine-chilling horror, fantasy worlds filled with cats, or the sudden thrill of a cat jumpscare, this comprehensive book has everything you need.
Explore an extensive list of cat horror movies that will leave you on the edge of your seat. From the eerie and mysterious to the downright terrifying, our furry friends are the central figures in these hidden gems and cult classics.
But the magic does not stop at horror. Meow! also delves into the most famous cat-centric sci-fi and fantasy movies. Find cats that have inspired fantastical adventures, mythical journeys, and futuristic sagas. This guide highlights a curated selection of films where cats play pivotal roles, embodying everything from magical felines to alien beings.
Key Features:
• Extensive Cat Movie List: A meticulously curated list of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy movies featuring cats (including short films), perfect for those seeking a thrilling feline fix or want to know more about the roles of cats in fantasy realms and futuristic adventures. • Best Cat Moments: Detailed descriptions of iconic cat jumpscares and other memorable cat scenes, short films, and TV episodes that have left audiences gasping. • Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Fascinating trivia and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of these movies. • Recommendations and Reviews: Expert reviews and personal recommendations to help you choose your next movie night pick.
This collection of essays offers insight into lesser known horror and sci-fi films with plots focused heavily on cats. The essays are written by a variety of authors, but the collection feels less cohesive than it could be. For instance, many essays reference how cats were targeted during historic witch trials, yet this is already discussed extensively in the introduction. Similarly, many essays summarize Poe's "The Black Cat," the story from which many of these films are adapted. What most disappoints me, however, is some essayists' tendencies to use the pronoun "it" for various cats. This may seem like a small (fish) bone to pick, but so many of the cats discussed are gendered characters, so why not use more definite pronouns?
Thank you to Vanessa Morgan and BookSirens for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved learning about all the different cats in my favorite movies. It was very enjoyable to read. I do love the vast knowledge of cat information. I will definitely recommend this. I also think the author is an expert on cats.
Well, if you want a book as specific as talking about cats in horror films, you will find the definitive tome on the subject here. A chronological tale of how cats are used as main characters or key figures in horror movies across the entire history of cinema. A number of the films you will likely have heard of, but many may be revelations.
Yet, what really makes this work stand out is its incorporation of a wide swath of cinema. It is not just American horror films. It literally spans the globe, looking at cinema from Japan, Eastern Europe and Latin America. A key basis for many of the horror films with cats starts with Edgar Allen Poe’s work “The Black Cat”. You find many adaptations in America and internationally. Granted, “The Black Cat” is not the end-all/be-all for cats in movies, but offers a starting point. From there, each filmmaker adds their own take on the role of the cat, with all revenant context.
Along with narrations of the plots of the various films, with emphasis on the specific role that cats play, you get a description of the social environment for the movies and how the use of said cat plays into the greater narrative. There is a lot to this work, but it never really drags.
This work may not get a wider audience, given the very narrow subject confines. However, for what it is, and likely for the cat-owning cinephiles out there, a must-add to the collection.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Meow!: Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies By: Vanessa Morgan Publisher: Self-Published Release Date: February 7, 2025 Length: 567 pages Triggers: None Kenan Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Ultimate Movie Guide for Cat Lovers and Cinephiles
Meow! is a purr-fectly curated deep dive into the fascinating world of cats in horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films. Ms. Morgan expertly blends film history, trivia, and behind-the-scenes insights, covering everything from eerie feline jump scares to mythical and extraterrestrial cats. This comprehensive guide spans films from 29 countries, making it an essential resource for cinephiles looking to explore the mysterious and magical presence of cats in cinema.
Packed with expert reviews, recommendations, and historical anecdotes, this book offers a unique and entertaining perspective that will leave both movie buffs and cat lovers enthralled.
Verdict: A must-have for film enthusiasts and feline fanatics alike. Well-researched, engaging, and full of hidden gems—this is the ultimate cat-centric movie guide!
When a black cat crosses your path…dark fantasies reviewed!
Author/screenwriter Vanessa Morgan lives in Belgium and is best known for her terrifying mysteries - some of which have become movies - but she is also a very sensitive writer about animals, and cats in particular (witness, AVALON: A HEART WARMING TRUE CAT STORY, NEXT TO HER and CLOWDERS). In this book Vanessa once again turns to reportage (as in her very successful WHEN ANIMALS ATTACK and STRANGE BLOOD books on horror movies) as she has assembled essays and facts about very bizarre bad cats movies from around the world, films that date from the past century to the present. Vanessa has rated all the cat horror/sci-fi/and fantasy films, providing insights and recommendations for the most terrifying and thrilling films that focus on bad cats – a list that encourages searching out films that are now classic cat horror movies. A must-read for cat lovers!
I am not a huge cat person (I love them from afar), but this book looked like a fun read. While it is a bit long (which doesn't bother me, others might find it chunky), it was a great look into the cats in movies.
Take a look at most movies, and you will see a cat somewhere. But there are a few movies where cats are more focused, and even a few TV shows there that is also the case. Here, the movies are broken down, and given a short description and fun fact review of each movie.
This is a fun one - and will have a few chuckles along the way.