The $257 million box office success that critics found surprisingly un-Garfield-like
In short: While critics panned the 2024 animated adventure for its high-octti action and departure from Jim Davis's sedentary icon, the film became a massive commercial hit. How did a movie described as 'visually flat' manage to outpace its budget by hundreds of millions of dollars?
Released by Sony Pictures Releasing in May 2024, The Garfield Movie represents the third theatrical adaptation of Jim Davis's famous tabby cat. Despite facing a 36% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and criticism from outlets like The New York Times for its 'visually flat' compositions, the film achieved significant commercial success. It grossed approximately $257.2 million worldwide, including $91.9 million in the United States and Canada, far exceeding its $60 million production budget.
The film's narrative deviates significantly from the source material's established character traits. While the classic Garfield is a sedentary, sarcastic eater, this iteration features 'Mission: Impossible-style' mayhem. The plot follows Garfield and his sidekick Odie as they are abducted by dogs and reunited with Garfield's estranged father, Vic, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson. This leads to a high-stakes heist involving a large quantity of milk to satisfy a grudge held by a Persian cat named Jinx.
Behind the scenes, the production was a multi-year effort by Alcon Entertainment, with development beginning in 2016. Director Mark Dindal and the animation team at DNEG Animation aimed to pay homage to the original 2D comic strip by incorporating brush strokes and handmade details into a 3D space. While the film's reception was mixed—earning a 'B+' from CinemaScore audiences but 'generally unfavorable' marks from Metacritic—the franchise's future is already being shaped by a sequel currently in development.
The cast features a star-studded lineup, including Chris Pratt as the titular character, alongside Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, and even Snoop Dogg. Interestingly, some musical elements, such as Hannah Waddingham's song 'I'm Back,' were cut from the main film due to animation time constraints, appearing only in the end credits.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Garfield Movie
- Also: Wikidata — The Garfield Movie · CC0
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