Comic Strips like Garfield have paved the way for modern entertainment today. When Jim Davis created the comic in 1978, the only comic strips found in newspapers featured dogs like Snoopy from the famed Peanuts cartoon. He decided to test his luck and introduced the robust, sarcastic, and lasagna-loving orange tabby that many of us grew to love.
He first appeared in 41 newspapers on June 19, 1978, but his popularity grew, and he reached 2,500. The beloved cat was one of the first comic strips to honor cat lovers everywhere. It is thought that he was responsible for a Time Magazine article released in 1980 and the rise in cat adoptions that same year. But it’s not just his popularity that put him into the limelight.
From Comic Strip to TV Cartoon
The Comic Strip’s continued popularity left fans wanting more, so Jim Davis, the creator, returned to the drawing board. He wanted to see if he could bring the comic to life while maintaining reliability. With this in mind, he conducted a test run by introducing the TV movie ‘Here Comes Garfield’ and a one-time series like ‘Garfield on the Town’.
It took some time, but Davis successfully syndicated the Garfield and Friends cartoon in 1988 with the help of the United Feature Syndicate. It wasn’t too long before the show was a hit. Reading the comic was one thing, but seeing the Monday-loathing, sarcastic, overeating tabby in action was another. It is endlessly funny and features John Arbuckle, Odie, Orson the Pig, and Wade the Duck. Each episode gives viewers an inside look into 357 Shady Grove Lane and the silly antics each character gets themselves into.
TV Cartoon to the Big Screen
When CBS decided to drop Garfield and Friends from their Saturday morning lineup on December 10, 1994, viewers were left feeling empty and disappointed. However, it wouldn’t be long before he made his way to the big screen. In 2004, Garfield, the movie tells how Odie came to be and his jealousy. It was an instant hit, and on its opening weekend, it raked in an astounding 97 million dollars.
This number is impressive, considering filmmakers only had a 60 million dollar budget. Less notable movies include A Tail of Two Kitties, Garfield Gets Real, Garfield’s Pet Force, and Garfield’s Fun Fest. More recently, on May 24, 2024, a remake of Garfield the Movie starring Chris Pratt focuses on his long-lost family and reunion with his father, a fierce alley cat named Vic.
A Timeless Classic
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This character is a timeless classic from newspaper comic strips to TV cartoons and the big screen. We can all relate to this quirky kitty’s antics because he hates Mondays, loves to sleep, would rather eat than exercise, and prefers to be alone. His sarcasm and carefree attitude can be found in all of us. This humor sent shockwaves through its popularity and onto the big screen.
Like the comic, this fuzzy feline gives Odie a hard time by pushing him out of the way to be the center of attention. Let’s not forget the silly shenanigans he and Odie get into when they take an unplanned stroll through town. But what makes this show stand out is its play on the humor of everyday life, like overeating, not exercising as one should, and living by the seat of your pants.
Final Thoughts
This cute kitty will continue to bring joy to many for generations because of his relatable personality and undeniable cuteness. He’s been around for 46 years, and if he hasn’t lost popularity yet, it’s safe to say he’s not going anywhere any time soon. It’s no wonder he made his way to the big screen in such a short period.
Who knows, maybe we’ll even see a new movie on the big screen? We still need to know his father’s true intentions and why he abandoned him as a kitten. Cliffhangers like these usually indicate that a new movie is not far behind, so let’s keep our eyes open. It will be one you don’t want to miss, especially if this was a part of your childhood like it was for many others.
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