Miss Moxy (2025)

Cats have starred in animation for a long time. Stretching back more than a century to Felix The Cat, right up to 2024's Flow, our feline friends have remained popular. Miss Moxy is a new Dutch-Belgian co-produced CG animated film featuring a young female cat protagonist

The film is directed by Vincent Bal and Wip Vernooij and written by Maureen Versprille.  It is produced by BosBros and Eyeworks, with animation production by Phanta Animation, Capybara Animation, Fabrique Fantastique and Polder Animation. It was released in UK and Irish cinemas on January 16 by Dazzler Media.

The film centres on the titular kittie, a pampered pet, who lives with beloved owner Joosje (pronounced Josie). When she's not at home, she hangs around with an all-female gang of cats that call themselves the Pink Ladies (not to be confused with the classic musical Grease). One day, Moxy discovers her family is going somewhere called "holiday", and is crestfallen to discover she is going to be left behind. Joosje isn't happy either and decides to secretly smuggle Moxy, hidden away in her bag. She's not discovered until they arrive at the holiday cottage.

A family emergency means that the family must cut their holiday short. But when they go to leave, Moxy is nowhere to be found. Reluctantly, they have to leave without her. Escaping the holiday cottage Moxy sets off on a perilous journey home to Holland, along with a dimwitted dog and an elderly bird. The film is based on the true story of a tabby cat who found their way home after 13 years.

The film opens with a song and dance number performed by Moxy and The Pink Ladies. As with the other songs in the film, it is not the fully orchestrated number you might find in a Disney film, nor is it a polished pop song of the kind you might find in K-Pop Demon Hunters. They are much more simple- some are even performed acapella- but catchy enough all the same.

The film has some impressive visuals. The character designs are well done, with a pleasingly chunky look to them. The animation is excellent, particularly when it comes to the animals. Cat behaviour is captured with real skill, and is clearly well observed. Cat owners will surely recognise the little touches. Other animals are well animated, too. The animation uses a slightly lower frame rate than a typical Hollywood production, giving it a stylised look and just a hint of the 'Spider-Verse style'.

Moxy is a likeable lead- indeed, she has moxy, with her plucky spirit helping her get through her adventure across Europe. The other characters are also easy to warm to, with her canine companion proving strangely adorable in his own way. The bond between Moxy and her owner Joosje is heartwarming and believable, and easy to root for.

The film is essentially a classic road movie set-up, with mismatched companions forced together on a journey. It's therefore not really anything you won't have seen before, but it's well executed, snappily paced and diverting enough to entertain young audiences and amenable adults alike.

This isn't exactly a new animated classic. But don't dismiss it so easily. It's well made and a fun and good-natured way to while away just under an hour and a half.  Miss Moxy is well worth a look- especially if you're a cat lover.

 FORMAT: MOVIEAVAILABLE ON: CINEMA RELEASE [UK]  FROM: DAZZLER MEDIA RATING: U RUNNING TIME : 1 HR 25 mins

IN A NUTSHELL:

  Expertly made and cute as a button, Miss Moxy is fine feline fun.

★★★☆☆