---
title: "The Garfield Movie"
year: 2024
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-garfield-movie"
fi1m_id: "the-garfield-movie"
imdb_id: "tt5779228"
tmdb_id: 748783
wikidata_id: "Q113547547"
fi1m_score: 47
critics_score: 48
critics_reviews: 15
published: "2026-10-05T16:59:33.292316+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T16:59:33.508743+00:00"
region: "FR"
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."
---

# The Garfield Movie (2024)

Directed by Mark Dindal · 1h 41m · CNC TP · Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family

## Identity

The Garfield Movie

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-garfield-movie
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** the-garfield-movie
- **IMDb ID:** tt5779228
- **TMDB ID:** 748783
- **Wikidata ID:** Q113547547
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5779228/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/748783, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113547547

**Fi1m score: 47** · Critics 48 from 15 reviews

*In a sentence:* Garfield has been given so much to do that he barely has time to disapprove

> Mark Dindal finds some good physical comedy in Garfield’s outdoor adventure, but the cat’s dry indifference gets lost in the bustle. Appealing images and a lively Hannah Waddingham cannot make the routine story worth a family evening.

## Synopsis

Garfield (Chris Pratt) is an indoor cat who prefers to do as little as possible. An account of his beginnings leads into an outdoor adventure that disrupts his routine, with Vic (Samuel L. Jackson) and Jinx (Hannah Waddingham) among those involved. Garfield wants to remain comfortably detached from other people’s problems, but his own family is harder to ignore. His relationship with his father becomes central as the demands on him increase. The cat who would rather do nothing has to contend with both family complications and an unwelcome amount of physical activity.

## Review

Mark Dindal’s *The Garfield Movie* has enough good slapstick to make its shortcomings irritating. This is a mixed family adventure, with an appealing animated cat and too little of the indifference that makes him funny. Taking Garfield out of the house is a reasonable way to fill 101 minutes, but keeping him busy leaves the film struggling to distinguish itself from other animated adventures. The opening account of his beginnings suggests that warmth and character might do the work. Before long, activity takes precedence.

Chris Pratt supplies Garfield’s voice without giving him much comic resistance to what is happening around him. The delivery is amiable enough, but the dry contempt for effort needs more than a generally agreeable leading voice. Hannah Waddingham gives Jinx a welcome forcefulness, making the character sound as though she has arrived with ideas of her own. A more distinctive Garfield might have made a stronger centre for this cast.

The training montages are where Dindal most clearly knows what to do. We laughed at their concentrated physical comedy, because the quick succession of movements gives the jokes a precision the dialogue seldom manages. Mark Keefer’s editing gives the individual routines a useful snap, although the passages joining them feel much less sure of their pace. The uneven rhythm becomes harder to ignore whenever the story resumes.

Pete Oswald’s production design favours an illustrated look that suits the broad expressions, and the fur has a softness that makes the cat appealing even when the jokes do not. The brief comic-strip-style montages are particularly welcome, allowing simpler images to carry the comedy. These passages suggest that the film need not keep straining for bigger action. John Debney’s music supports the energy, but the busy stretches would benefit from more quiet around the punchlines.

David Reynolds, Paul A. Kaplan and Mark Torgove’s screenplay has a tender interest in Garfield’s relationship with his father. That deserves some room, and the opening earns affection before the plot starts asking for it. The difficulty is how often the family material feels like something included because an animated adventure is expected to have it. With the story already weak between set pieces, the sentiment slows things further without making Garfield much more interesting.

The conspicuous product placement does not help. It makes an already generic adventure feel more calculated, particularly when the brands are easier to remember than the jokes. A family comedy does not have to preserve every habit of its source, but changing the central character ought to bring some comic advantage. Here, the extra action leaves less space for Garfield to react, and the moments of deadpan humour are too scarce.

The physical comedy may be enough for children who mainly want a succession of mishaps. We cannot recommend it for the whole sofa: the jokes and character are too uneven to sustain the running time. Come for the occasional well-timed tumble, and expect long waits between them.

*Fi1m score 47, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards disappointment, though several critics find enough slapstick and warmth to make this an enjoyable children’s film. Praise centres on the opening, bursts of physical comedy and occasional tenderness in Garfield’s relationship with his father. Some also welcome the illustrated look and expressive animation, while Hannah Waddingham’s voice performance stands out even in otherwise unfavourable reviews. The recurring complaint is that a busy, formulaic adventure leaves little of Garfield’s deadpan wit or defining laziness intact.

The spread is wide, with comic timing and animation drawing sharply opposing assessments. The Guardian welcomes the frantic cartoon energy and sharp jokes; Paste also enjoys the slapstick, despite finding Chris Pratt’s voice work generic. Less persuaded critics describe weak storytelling, intrusive product placement and action that could belong to almost any animated character. Even among the more favourable reviews, enjoyment often comes with caveats about originality and how much will linger afterwards.

## Straight answers

**Is The Garfield Movie worth watching?**

*The Garfield Movie* has some good slapstick, but we scored it 47 out of 100 and cannot recommend it for a whole-family evening. Children who mainly want physical mishaps may enjoy the training montages; the routine adventure and sentimental interruptions leave too little room for Garfield’s dry disapproval.

**How long is The Garfield Movie, and what is it rated?**

*The Garfield Movie* runs 1h 41m and is rated TP by the CNC in France. It is an adventure and animation film.

**Where can I watch The Garfield Movie in France?**

*The Garfield Movie* is available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from €2.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does The Garfield Movie compare to The Emperor's New Groove?**

*The Garfield Movie* is the weaker comedy beside [*The Emperor's New Groove*](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove), which gives its reluctant adventurer a stronger personality and sharper comic timing. We recommend the latter for families looking for sustained laughs: Garfield has some well-timed physical routines, but the story between them drags, and his deadpan humour is too scarce.

**What should I watch after The Garfield Movie?**

After *The Garfield Movie*, try [*The Emperor's New Groove*](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove) (2000, Fi1m 80): Another reluctant adventurer, with sharper comic timing and a much stronger personality. Then [*Ernest & Celestine*](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine) (2012, Fi1m 84): A gentler animal friendship, with room for affection and properly observed behaviour; and [*Shaun the Sheep Movie*](https://film.one/film/shaun-the-sheep-movie) (2015, Fi1m 80): An animal adventure that trusts physical comedy to keep the family interested.

### Reviews we read (15)

- **The Guardian**, Wendy Ide (4/5): Ide finds this animated Garfield adventure a refreshing step up and worth watching. She praises its frantic Looney Tunes energy and genuinely sharp comedy. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/may/26/the-garfield-movie-review-a-fun-and-frantic-feline-adventure)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (65/100, inferred): Walsh finds the film formulaic and overly energetic, but cute and irreverent enough to entertain children and adults alike. She praises its illustrated visual style and its playful film-history references, especially the Tom Cruise nods. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-05-24/the-garfield-movie-review-chris-pratt-odie-jon-animation)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or criticism could be verified. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/23/movies/the-garfield-movie-review.html)
- **Radio Times**, Calum Baker (3/5): The review calls the film unoriginal but spirited. It criticizes the kid-friendly screenplay for sanding away the original comic strip’s deadpan wit. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-pqrorn/the-garfield-movie/)
- **IndieWire**, Kate Erbland (C): Erbland argues the film loses what makes Garfield distinctive and should return to the drawing board. She praises the energetic opening and the training montages, but faults the weak connective story and intrusive product placement. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-garfield-movie-2024-review-1235004735/)
- **The AV Club**, Leigh Monson (C-): Monson finds the film a generic, identity-free adaptation that struggles to entertain either children or adults. The review faults its lazy humor and uneven pacing, with little to praise beyond occasional slapstick. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-garfield-movie-review-identity-free-adaptation-is-1851487368)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (2/2/1): Jenkins finds the film an extremely forgettable, laboured outing. He criticises Chris Pratt’s tired vocal performance and the film’s poorly timed, uninspired animation. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-garfield-movie)
- **Total Film**, Neil Smith (2/5): The critic finds the film disappointing, despite its energetic plot and appeal to younger viewers. He criticizes the story for feeling far removed from the Garfield comic strips. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/animation-movies/the-garfield-movie-review/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Frank Scheck (30/100, inferred): Scheck finds the film tiresome and cynical, with routine action comedy replacing Garfield’s subversive humor. He praises the charming opening origin story but criticizes the rudimentary animation and Chris Pratt’s colorless vocal performance. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-garfield-movie-review-chris-pratt-1235903867/)
- **Empire**, John Nugent (20/100, inferred): Nugent finds the film lazy, over-sentimental, and full of weak jokes and baffling diversions. He singles out Hannah Waddingham’s performance as Jinx as a rare bright spot. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-garfield-movie/)
- **Variety**, Carlos Aguilar (10/100, inferred): Aguilar pans the film as a generic, product-placement-heavy adventure that loses Garfield’s defining apathy and sarcasm. He praises the animation’s appealing blend of cartoony expressions and realistic fur, but says the film’s high-stakes antics betray the character. [Read](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/the-garfield-movie-review-chris-pratt-1236009935/)
- **Paste**, Jesse Hassenger (6.8): Hassenger finds the film a surprisingly good time, though it is disposable and falls short of Dindal’s best work. He praises the slapstick gags and their split-second comic timing, while finding Chris Pratt’s voice performance generic. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/mark-dindal/the-garfield-movie-review)
- **The Wrap**, William Bibbiani (70/100, inferred): The critic finds it a reasonably enjoyable kids’ film, though it is short on laughs and unlikely to become a family classic. He praises its unexpected tenderness, especially Garfield’s relationship with his father. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/garfield-the-movie-review-chris-pratt/)
- **Film Stories**, Maria Lattila (45/100, inferred): Lattila finds the film flawed and unoriginal but strangely comforting, with children likely to enjoy it. She singles out Hannah Waddingham’s lively voice performance and criticizes the animation as stilted and uninspired. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/the-garfield-movie-review-a-perfectly-fine-if-uninspired-animated-flick/)
- **Eye for Film**, Andrew Robertson (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the film stodgy, bland and undercooked. They single out its conspicuous product placement and say the brief comic-strip-style montages are among its best moments. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-garfield-movie-2024-film-review-by-andrew-robertson)

## Details

- **Director:** Mark Dindal
- **Director:** Mark Dindal
- **Screenplay:** Mark Torgove, Paul A. Kaplan, David Reynolds
- **Editor:** Mark Keefer
- **Music:** John Debney
- **Production design:** Pete Oswald
- **Producer:** Broderick Johnson, Andrew Kosove, Namit Malhotra
- **Cast:** Chris Pratt as Garfield (voice); Samuel L. Jackson as Vic (voice); Hannah Waddingham as Jinx (voice); Ving Rhames as Otto (voice); Nicholas Hoult as Jon (voice); Cecily Strong as Marge Malone (voice); Harvey Guillén as Odie (voice); Brett Goldstein as Roland (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 41m
- **Certificate (CNC):** TP
- **Release (France):** 31 July 2024
- **Genres:** Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
- **Budget:** $60 million
- **Box office:** $255 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk2Ej59DnrE

## Where to watch in France

- Amazon Prime Video: rent €2.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy €7.99, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, HK, HR, ID, IE, IN, IS, IT, JP, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2024: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *The Emperor's New Groove* (2000), Fi1m 80: Another reluctant adventurer, with sharper comic timing and a much stronger personality. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove.md)
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: A gentler animal friendship, with room for affection and properly observed behaviour. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)
- *A Town Called Panic* (2009): For families who prefer their animated chaos stranger, faster and less predictable.
- *The Aristocats* (1970): Cats venture beyond domestic comfort, with more time for personality and music.
- *Shaun the Sheep Movie* (2015), Fi1m 80: An animal adventure that trusts physical comedy to keep the family interested. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/shaun-the-sheep-movie.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/the-garfield-movie