Synopsis

In 1939, Danny, an optimistic young cat from Kokomo, Indiana, arrives in Hollywood determined to become a star. He soon discovers that animal performers are expected to remain in the background while human celebrities take the spotlight. With the help of fellow performers, Danny challenges the studio system, confronts a jealous child star, and fights to prove that animals can sing, dance, and headline a show.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was produced by Turner Feature Animation and distributed by Warner Bros. It became the studio's final feature after Turner Feature Animation was absorbed into Warner Bros. during production.

• The story draws heavily on the traditions of classic Hollywood musicals, especially the optimistic backstage formula associated with Gene Kelly and MGM productions. Mammoth Pictures serves as a playful parody of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, complete with an elephant replacing the familiar lion in its logo.

• Gene Kelly served as an uncredited choreography consultant. He died during production, and the completed film was dedicated to him as "our friend and collaborator."

• The project was initially conceived as a live-action and computer-animation hybrid involving Michael Jackson, who was expected to star and contribute to the music and choreography. That version was later abandoned.

• Cats Don't Dance won the Annie Award for Best Animated Feature for 1997, becoming the first non-Disney production to win that category.

• The movie received strong reviews but was poorly promoted during its theatrical release. Its later reputation grew through home video, where it became regarded as an overlooked animated musical.

• The ending includes mock movie posters based on films associated with Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, and Turner Entertainment. Several other planned parodies were dropped because using them would have required additional licensing fees.