---
title: "Puss in Boots"
year: 2011
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/puss-in-boots"
fi1m_id: "puss-in-boots"
imdb_id: "tt0448694"
tmdb_id: 417859
wikidata_id: "Q324262"
fi1m_score: 66
critics_score: 67
critics_reviews: 17
published: "2026-10-05T12:12:16.355628+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T12:12:16.710625+00:00"
region: "CZ"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Puss in Boots (2011)

Directed by Chris Miller · 1h 30m · MK 12+ · Action, Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family

## Identity

Puss in Boots

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/puss-in-boots
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** puss-in-boots
- **IMDb ID:** tt0448694
- **TMDB ID:** 417859
- **Wikidata ID:** Q324262
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448694/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/417859, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q324262

**Fi1m score: 66** · Critics 67 from 17 reviews

*In a sentence:* Banderas purrs, an egg has a tragic backstory, and the best scene is a dance-off in a bar for cats

> Antonio Banderas can carry a film with his voice alone, and for the length of a dance fight in a cat cantina he does. Around him Chris Miller’s spin-off piles heist on heist until the charm wears thin, but it stays likeable.

## Synopsis

Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) is a wanted outlaw in a sun-baked fairytale Spain, a hero to the poor and a nuisance to the soldiers who chase him from town to town. When he hears that the outlaw couple Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris) are carrying the magic beans that lead to the giant’s castle and the goose that lays golden eggs, he sets out to steal them, and finds another thief already on the job. She is Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), a masked cat with no claws and no patience, and their first encounter becomes a dance fight in a cat cantina. Kitty works for Humpty Alexander Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis), the friend Puss grew up with at the orphanage in San Ricardo under Imelda (Constance Marie), and the egg has a plan Puss has every reason to distrust.

## Review

Seven years after the cat first drew his sword in [*Shrek 2*](https://film.one/film/shrek-2), DreamWorks gives him a film of his own and sensibly keeps the ogre out of it. Chris Miller directs; Tom Wheeler’s screenplay sets Puss (Antonio Banderas) loose in a fairytale Spain of whitewashed towns and dusty plazas and asks him to hold the screen for 90 minutes without help. He nearly does. *Puss in Boots* is a good-natured, handsome swashbuckler with one scene we would gladly watch again and a plot that keeps getting in its own way.

The voice is the film. Banderas plays Puss as a cat who believes every word of his own legend, and the joke is how small he is and how little that troubles him. He orders a glass of milk the way other men order a duel. The animators give him the enormous wet-eyed stare that got laughs in the [*Shrek*](https://film.one/film/shrek) films and then, wisely, ration it. Salma Hayek’s Kitty Softpaws is the sharper of the pair, a thief who works alone and is not impressed by anyone, and Hayek plays her with a dryness the script does not always deserve.

Their first meeting, in a cantina full of cats, turns into a dance fight, and it is the best thing here. The two circle each other in flamenco steps, Puss stamps, Kitty spins, a guitar is involved, and the whole thing is settled without a sword being drawn. Henry Jackman scores it with Spanish guitar and handclaps and lets the rhythm do the choreography. We laughed out loud, and then noticed we were watching two animated cats dance a tango at each other and found we did not mind at all.

Zach Galifianakis voices Humpty Alexander Dumpty, the friend Puss grew up with at the orphanage in San Ricardo, where Imelda (Constance Marie) raised them both. Humpty is where the film is braver than it needs to be. He is needy, clever, wounded and not entirely to be trusted, and Galifianakis gives him a voice that wants to be liked more than it wants to be good. A flashback to the two of them as children, an egg and a kitten plotting under a blanket to find the magic beans, is unexpectedly sad, and we were moved more than we had any right to be by an egg.

Guillaume Aretos designs the world as a sun-bleached Spain, orange roofs and blue shadows and a town square where the fountain is the only cool thing in sight. Gil Zimmerman’s camera swoops and dives like a camera on a crane, and the film was plainly built for 3D: watched flat, you can still see the depth it was reaching for in every cliff that falls away and every beanstalk that climbs into cloud. Isis Mussenden keeps Puss in hat, cape and boots and Kitty in a mask, and that is all anyone needs. Erika Dapkewicz cuts the chases fast and clean, so that even when we did not care what the chase was for, we always knew where everyone was.

The trouble is the story. Wheeler, Brian Lynch and William Davies stack the deck: magic beans guarded by Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris), a married pair of outlaws drawn as hulking brutes with a soft spot for babies; a plan to steal the beans; a beanstalk; a goose. Each reel adds a heist on top of the last one and the backstory keeps stopping the present to explain itself. The second half takes a turn we will not describe, and the last twenty minutes become a large, loud chase through a town, the kind the *Shrek* films used to end on when the jokes had run out. By then we had stopped laughing and were waiting for the cat to do the eyes again.

Against the first two *Shrek* films it is lighter in wit and gentler in intent, and it is a good deal better than the fourth. It does not sneer at fairytales; it plays dressing-up with them. Banderas spent two films as Zorro and wears this costume as if he had never taken it off, and the film is wise enough to let him.

It carries a U and runs 90 minutes, with nothing the children will notice as filler and enough for most critics. It will not change anyone’s week. Put it on for the dance, stay for the egg, and let the beanstalk take care of itself.

*Fi1m score 66, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find the spin-off entertaining and able to stand without Shrek, and nobody dislikes it outright: nine of the seventeen reviews are positive, eight are mixed, none are negative. The praise clusters on Antonio Banderas, whose voice work several reviews call the main reason to watch, and on the 3D, which the Hollywood Reporter and Total Film both single out for its well-judged use of depth. The chemistry between Puss and Kitty, and the handling of Humpty Dumpty, also come up more than once.

The reservations are about story. Variety thinks the finale overdone and the film long; Empire and Eye for Film find the plot crowded; the Evening Standard says the final quarter is the weakest. The Skinny is the lone dissenter on the 3D, calling it ineffective, and faults a lazy script. The spread is narrow, running from Slant’s forgettable to the Los Angeles Times’ consistently entertaining: nobody is cross, and nobody is quite excited either.

## Straight answers

**Is Puss in Boots worth watching?**

*Puss in Boots* is worth watching for families who want a light swashbuckler with a good voice at its centre, and we scored it 66. Antonio Banderas carries it almost alone, the cantina dance fight is the one scene we would gladly see again, and Humpty Dumpty's orphanage flashback is sadder than it needs to be. The heist-on-heist plot wears the charm thin by the final chase.

**How long is Puss in Boots, and what is it rated?**

*Puss in Boots* runs 1h 30m and is rated 12+ by the MK in Czechia. It is an action and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Puss in Boots in Czechia?**

*Puss in Boots* is streaming on HBO Max, SkyShowtime, Disney+, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in Czechia, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from Kč 49.00. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Puss in Boots compare to The Princess Bride?**

*Puss in Boots* is the lighter and slighter of the two; [*The Princess Bride*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride) is the better film and the one we would choose first. Rob Reiner's fairy tale takes its characters seriously and gets its laughs from the company, while Chris Miller's spin-off leans on Banderas's voice and one superb dance fight. Younger children will find the cat easier going; everyone else should start with the earlier film.

**What should I watch after Puss in Boots?**

After *Puss in Boots*, try [*The Princess Bride*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride) (1987, Fi1m 86): Fairytale swashbuckling that winks at the grown-ups without short-changing the children. Then [*Ernest & Celestine*](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine) (2012, Fi1m 84): A bear and a mouse, hand-drawn and watercoloured, with more heart than most studios manage; and [*The Adventures of Robin Hood*](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-robin-hood) (1938, Fi1m 90): Errol Flynn grinning through every fight; the template for every outlaw hero since.

### Reviews we read (17)

- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (80/100, inferred): Turan finds the film a visually lively, consistently entertaining family adventure that balances action and tongue-in-cheek humor. He singles out its film-noir-inspired storytelling and stylish visual flair for praise. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-oct-28-la-et-puss-in-boots-20111028-story.html)
- **Empire**, Olly Richards (70/100, inferred): Richards finds the spin-off entertaining and thinks Puss can carry an adventure of his own, despite a crowded plot and limited storytelling invention. He especially praises the heartfelt handling of Humpty Dumpty and the lively dance-off between Puss and Kitty. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/puss-boots-review/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (70/100, inferred): McCarthy calls the film a diverting, entertaining romp and praises its inventive, well-integrated 3D cinematography. He also singles out the lively character work and vocal performances, especially the chemistry between Puss and Kitty. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/puss-boots-film-review-252312/)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (70/100, inferred): Debruge finds the spin-off consistently amusing and able to stand on its own, despite its franchise-minded origins. He praises Antonio Banderas’s irresistible central performance, while faulting the over-the-top finale and sense of length. [Read](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/puss-in-boots-1117946409/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (65/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the spin-off amiable and entertaining, though not especially exhilarating. He singles out Humpty Dumpty’s joke about eggs in jail as the film’s best line. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/dec/08/puss-in-boots-film-review)
- **Screen Daily**, Brent Simon (64/100, inferred): The review's verdict is unavailable in the accessible page. No specific praise or criticism is visible. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/puss-in-boots/5033650.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The article could not be accessed, so its verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint can be reliably attributed to the critic. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/28/movies/puss-in-boots-with-antonio-banderas-review.html)
- **Evening Standard**, The Standard (60/100, inferred): The critic finds the animation entertaining but not outstanding, with a weaker final quarter. They praise the lively performances and visual details, while noting that the animation falls short of the best Shrek films. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/puss-in-boots-review-7427978.html)
- **Time Out**, Anna Smith (3/5): The three-star rating suggests a mixed verdict. The description praises Antonio Banderas’s voice work and Puss’s charismatic, scene-stealing presence. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/puss-in-boots)
- **Total Film**, Matt Chapman (3/5): Chapman finds the film entertaining in fits and starts, but says its story feels overextended and its humor is only moderately funny. He singles out the skilful use of 3D depth and the expansive environments as the film’s main achievement. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/puss-in-boots-review/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jaime N. Christley (2/4): Christley finds the film lively and handsome but ultimately forgettable. The review praises its visual polish and cat-specific jokes, while faulting its bargain-value adventure and weak material. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/puss-in-boots/)
- **Eye for Film**, Amber Wilkinson (78/100, inferred): Wilkinson finds it a lively, high-quality family adventure, just short of being truly top-notch. She praises its cross-generational humor and effective use of 3D, while noting that the plot can feel convoluted and Kitty’s character development is thin. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/puss-in-boots-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson)
- **Den of Geek**, Ron Hogan (3 out of 5): Hogan finds the film entertaining but lightweight, with action outweighing comedy and depth. He especially praises the vivid 3D swashbuckling and the chemistry between Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/puss-in-boots-review-2/)
- **Digital Spy**, Stella Papamichael (4): The review finds the film a fun, visually impressive caper, despite a bumpy plot and Humpty Dumpty's prominence. It praises Banderas's comic performance and the film's striking use of 3D. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a352734/puss-in-boots-review/)
- **/Film**, Germain Lussier (7 out of 10): The critic finds the film unexpectedly funny, exciting, and enjoyable, though not among DreamWorks’ best. They praise the friendship at its heart, while faulting the adventure for predictable twists and moral unease. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/518224/puss-boots-review-surprisingly-charming-fun-spinoff/)
- **The Playlist** (70/100, inferred): The headline frames the film as a fun, worthwhile spinoff. The critic’s specific praise or complaints are unavailable in the page text. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-puss-in-boots-a-fun-adventure-worthwhile-spinoff-from-the-lagging-shrek-franchise-20111026/)
- **The Skinny**, Nicola Balkind (★★★): Balkind finds the film brisk and enjoyable, with an excellent voice cast and a Spanish-flavoured fairytale world. She criticises its simple, somewhat lazy script and ineffective 3D, while noting the old-film gags and innuendo aimed at adults. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/puss-in-boots)

## Details

- **Director:** Chris Miller
- **Director:** Chris Miller
- **Screenplay:** Tom Wheeler
- **Story:** Brian Lynch, William Davies, Tom Wheeler
- **Cinematography:** Gil Zimmerman
- **Editor:** Erika Dapkewicz
- **Music:** Henry Jackman
- **Production design:** Guillaume Aretos
- **Costume design:** Isis Mussenden
- **Producer:** Latifa Ouaou, Joe M. Aguilar
- **Cast:** Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots (voice); Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws (voice); Zach Galifianakis as Humpty Alexander Dumpty (voice); Billy Bob Thornton as Jack (voice); Amy Sedaris as Jill (voice); Constance Marie as Imelda (voice); Mike Mitchell as Andy Beanstalk (voice); Rich Dietl as Bounty Hunter (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 30m
- **Certificate (MK):** 12+
- **Release (Czechia):** 24 November 2011
- **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
- **Budget:** $130 million
- **Box office:** $555 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znuq-daWfLE

## Where to watch in Czechia

- HBO Max: streaming
- SkyShowtime: streaming, hd
- Disney+: streaming, hd
- Netflix: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent Kč 49.00, uhd
- Apple TV: rent Kč 59.00, hd
- Apple TV: buy Kč 99.00, sd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy Kč 99.00, sd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2012: Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2012: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (won)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2011: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2011: Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *The Mask of Zorro* (1998): Banderas in the boots for real, with a sword fight that strips Catherine Zeta-Jones.
- *Puss in Boots: The Last Wish* (2022): The sequel that found the cat a story worth his swagger, and a frightening wolf.
- *The Princess Bride* (1987), Fi1m 86: Fairytale swashbuckling that winks at the grown-ups without short-changing the children. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md)
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: A bear and a mouse, hand-drawn and watercoloured, with more heart than most studios manage. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)
- *The Adventures of Robin Hood* (1938), Fi1m 90: Errol Flynn grinning through every fight; the template for every outlaw hero since. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-robin-hood.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/puss-in-boots