The film industry quickly recognised cats' photogenic qualities and natural charisma, leading to numerous feline movie stars who captured global audiences. Felix the Cat, created in the silent film era by Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer, became one of the first internationally recognised animated characters. Felix's adventures in early animation established many visual conventions for cartoon cats that continue influencing modern media representations.

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Morris the Cat became advertising's most famous feline, representing 9Lives cat food from 1969 to the present. The original Morris was a rescue cat named Lucky, discovered at an animal shelter by animal trainer Bob Martwick. This backstory of a rescued cat achieving fame resonated with audiences and helped establish the idea that ordinary cats possess extraordinary potential. When people visit unique cafes with cats, they often hope to discover hidden personalities and talents among the resident felines.

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The Pink Panther films featured a distinctive animated pink cat in the opening credits, created by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises. While the character was originally just part of the credits sequence, the Pink Panther cat became so popular that it spawned its own cartoon series and merchandise empire. This demonstrates cats' ability to capture imagination even in minimal screen time, a quality that makes brief cat cafe visits memorable and meaningful.