Exploring Garfield Beyond Lasagna

Garfield is a comic strip character created by Jim Davis in 1976. However, the latest offering is a computer-animated film that offers us a view of the origin story of the lasagna-loving cat. In The Garfield Movie Christian Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

The Garfield Movie – Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis:

Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.

My Synopsis:

In this latest installment of the Garfield franchise, we find out how Garfield came to live with Jon after being abandoned by his father, Vic. Additionally, Garfield finds himself helping his father who is involved with some seedy underworld figures.

Christian Review of The Garfield Movie – What Parents Want to Know

Language:

Overall, there is no “foul” language. However, there is some crude language such as idiot, stupid, half-wit, and other insults.

Violence:

There is comic violence and includes a thunderstorm, growling dog, a Persian cat that turns red and looks evil. Additionally, things blow up, characters are hit, punched, kicked, locked up, and the bad characters try to kill Vic and Garfield.

In one scene, it looks like there is a black-robed man, and I thought it was the Grim Reaper. It turns out to be a character with a dark hoodie.

Furthermore, a bird is electrocuted. One character is flattened and called “roadkill.” Garfield bangs his own head on a tree multiple times, and he gets punched in the face.

The most annoying “violent” content is the constant screaming by several characters.

Spiritual Content:

Someone asks the question, “Are you an angel?” Another character says, someone “seems to be in a period of meditation.”

Other Content:

The use of dating apps is mentioned and included Tinder as well as others. On the television, you see a couple kiss.

Additionally, (if you have never watched Garfield), he is an overeater to the point of gluttony.

Garfield and Vic scratch their butts.

Positive Content:

While it appears that Garfield was abandoned by his father, we find out that that is not the case. This is a story about reunited with loved ones and the importance of family.

Christian Review of The Garfield Movie – My Viewing Recommendations

Do I recommend this movie? While we were watching the film, there was a grandfather with a young boy about 4-5 years old. About halfway through the film, the boy said he wanted to go home. This film was confusing to the adults in our party. It lacked depth and meaning.

While this is not the worst film to watch, and is better than the 2004 Garfield movie starring Bill Murray as Garfield, it definitely is not worth seeing in the theater.

Teachable Moments with The Garfield Movie

Have your child pick out all the brands mentioned in the movie and/or the movies/songs depicted. These include songs by Dean Martin, Top Gun music, and Mission Impossible theme song. Additionally, Odie and Garfield watch Catflix.

About The Garfield Movie

Rating: PG for action/peril and mild thematic elements

Release Date: May 24, 2024

Runtime: 1 hour, 41 minutes

Genre: Family/Comedy

Style: Animated

Studios: Columbia Pictures, Alcon Entertainment, DNEG Animation, One Cool Group, Wayfarer Studios, Stage 6 Films, Andrews McMeel Entertainment

Directed by: Mark Dindal 

Screenplay by: Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove, and David Reynolds

Based on Garfield by Jim Davis

Produced by: John Cohen, Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosovo, Steven P. Wigner, Craig Sost, Namit Mahlhotra

Edited by: Mark Keefer

Music by: John Debney

Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing

The Cast of The Garfield Movie – Voice Cast

Chris Pratt as Garfield

Nicholas Hunt as Jon Arbuckle (Garfield’s Owner)

Harvey Guillen as Odie (Garfield’s best friend – yellow beagle)

Samuel L. Jackson as Vic (Garfield’s father)

Hannah Waddingham as Jinx (Persian cat)

Ving Rhames as Otto

Cecily Strong as Marge

Brett Goldstein as Roland

Bowen Yang as Nolan

Janelle James as Olivia

Snoop Dogg as Snoop Cat

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch The Garfield Movie?

The Garfield Movie was released into theaters in the United States on May 24, 2024. At that time, it was only available to watch in theaters. 

Was there another Garfield Movie?

Yes. There was Garfield: The Movie, a live-action film with computer-generated imagery that was released on June 11, 2004. In that film, Bill Murray was the voice of Garfield. It currently has a Rotten Tomato critics score of 14% and an Audience score of 38%.

Is there an end-credit scene for The Garfield Movie?

There are short clips of real cats and dogs mid-credit. Later in the credits, there are cartoon depictions of some of the film’s characters.

Will The Garfield Movie stream on Disney+? 

No, The Garfield Movie will not be streaming on Disney Plus.

Will The Garfield Movie stream on Peacock?

No. The Garfield Movie will not stream on Peacock.

Where will The Garfield Movie stream?

When The Garfield Movie begins streaming, it is expected to be on Netflix as it is a Sony Production.

How much did it cost to produce The Garfield Movie?

The Garfield Movie cost approximately $60 million to produce.