The Pop Culture Pundit

As a lifelong cat owner, I am always excited to see a cat pop up on my screen, whether it’s in a TV show, a movie, or an article about Taylor Swift (everyone’s favorite cat lady). This page intends to list every cat I have seen in pop culture. It is not exhaustive, but it is fun, and it’s also meant to showcase some of the more obscure cats in pop culture history that aren’t typically mentioned.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Comment on my page and I will add the cat in question! 

TV

And Just Like That

Sometimes I feel like I only watch this show for Carrie’s cat, Shoe.

^{Screenshot/HBO Max via YouTube}

Fun fact: Sarah Jessica Parker adopted the kitten who plays Shoe in real life!

The Big Bang Theory, “The Zazzy Substitution” (Season 4, Episode 3; 2010)

The one where Sheldon gets 25 cats. Shoutout to Zazzles. He is very zazzy.

^{CBS via YouTube}

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, “Terry Kitties” (Season 3, Episode 19; 2016)

Jake Peralta + kittens = too adorable

^{Fox/via YouTube}

Community, “Epidemiology” (Season 2, Episode 6; 2010)

“What is up with that cat!?” “Is someone throwing it!?” Definitely an underrated moment in Community lore.

^{NBC/via YouTube}

Friends, “The One with the Ball” (Season 5, Episode 21; 1999)

Rachel gets a hairless cat. It does not go as planned.

The Night Manager, “Episode 1” (Season 2, Episode 1; 2026)

There is an orange fluffy cat. Literally nothing else matters because IT IS SO CUTE.

The Office, “Stress Relief” (Season 5, Episode 14; 2009)

Two words: SAVE BANDIT!

Presumed Innocent

When I first started watching this show, I automatically assumed Peter Sarsgaard’s character Tommy Molto was the person responsible for killing attorney Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve) because a), he seemed like a jerk, and b), was a bit too eager to pin the crime on fellow attorney Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal). But then when he went home in one scene we saw he had a cat—an orange cat!—and then I knew he couldn’t be the killer in question.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003)

Salem is perhaps the most famous cat to grace the small screen. What an icon.

“Laser Cats,” Saturday Night Live (2006-2012)

SNL has had many iconic moments featuring cats but perhaps none more so than this series of sketches starring Bill Hader and Andy Samberg. The first one remains my favorite but it’s definitely worth watching all seven.

^{NBC/via YouTube}

Single Drunk Female (2022-2023)

Josh the cat might be the biggest fur baby to ever grace the screen. I’m obsessed. Click to see images here.

Two and a Half Men (2003-2015)

Chelsea, one of Charlie’s many girlfriends throughout the series’ run, has a tuxedo cat named Sir Lancelot, whom Charlie is practically sworn enemies with. Which is crazy, because Sir Lancelot is adorable!

Movies

The Brutalist (2024)

Adrien Brody’s character runs across a random cat in the middle of the film in a blink-and-you’ll-miss moment. The movie may be 3 and a half hours, but thirty seconds of a cat makes it worth it!

Caught Stealing (2025)

^{Sony Pictures Entertainment via YouTube}

I did not know I needed a movie starring Austin Butler and a cat but I now I don’t need anything else in life.

Ghost (1990)

Demi Moore’s cat saves her from becoming a ghost.

Gone Girl (2014)

^{20th Century Fox/via YouTube}

I can totally see Ben Affleck as a cat dad, can’t you?

Hit Man (2024)

Glen Powell’s character has two cats in the film. Then, he meets a dog lover! Are they able to ever reach a compromise? Perhaps that’s the greatest mystery the movie leaves us with.

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) has the most relatable cat in the history of cinema: it sits on the fridge…it sits on the kitchen table…and it sits on top of Murtaugh while he sleeps at night. The life of a cat is so simple.

Meet the Parents (2000)

I want a cat proposal! Also, similar to how Robert de Niro’s character has trained Mr. Jinx to wave, my dad has taught his cat to high-five. It’s totally a dad thing to train cats to do cool tricks.

^{Universal Pictures via YouTube}

Mr. Deeds (2002)

Absolutely obsessed with every cat that flies through the air.

^{Columbia Pictures/via YouTube}

Music

“Me!,” Taylor Swift ft. Brendan Urie

^{Taylor Swift/via YouTube}

Fun fact: Swift adopted the Ragdoll kitten from the music video, and it later appeared on her Time magazine Person of the Year Cover in 2023.

Other

Garfield

Probably the most famous cat in pop culture. Let’s have some lasagna to celebrate!