10 Most Famous Superheroes Inspired by Cats in Film, Comics & Other Media

Cats have always been popular in television shows, comics, and movies and they have become popular superheroes for many people over the years. Felines have long been associated with agility, strength, and bravery, which makes them an excellent choice for a feline superhero.

Whether it is a superhero that dresses up as a cat or one that has the same abilities as a cat, but in a human form, we have compiled a list of 10 different superheroes that have been inspired by cats.

The 10 Superheroes Inspired by Cats

1. Black Panther

The blockbuster Black Panther movie released in 2018 featured a hero played by Chadwick Boseman, with a second movie released in 2022. This Marvel movie came from the 1960s comic feature where Black Panther made an appearance in one of The Fantastic Four comic books. King T’Challa from the Wakanda tribe can transform into Black Panther after he eats a plant that has been infected with vibranium (a heart-shaped herb).

This gave him more athleticism and heightened senses, along with enhanced strength just like cats. Black Panther’s abilities are inspired by felines, with great agility, speed, endurance, reflexes, and high intellect.

2. Catwoman

Catwoman can be described as both a supervillain and a superhero, depending on the movie she is portrayed in. Catwoman first made an appearance in 1940 in Batman, but she was first portrayed as a villain. In recent movies, Catwoman can be seen as both a hero and a villain with supernatural cat-like powers.

Halle Berry played Catwoman in a 2004 movie, where she was turned into Catwoman after dying and being brought back to life by a magical cat who gave her all the characteristic traits that you would expect a cat to have.

Catwoman is agile, flexible, strong, and has incredible reflexes, much like a cat. She is one of the most popular cat-inspired superheroes in some comics, movies, and series even though was originally a villain.

3. Tigra

Tigra is a comic book character recruited by Misty Knight to help repel a group of Asgardian Doom Maidens. She joined the Avengers when they re-assembled and got her powers by being shot with an unknown form of radioactivity. The Cat People then performed rites on Greer to try and save her, but it ended with her being possessed by a cat soul. She can mutate into a human-tiger form and is considered a champion of the Cat People.

She was then turned into Tigra and can use a cat’s head amulet to transform back into her original human form, but she rarely does this because her husband become used to her feline form. She possesses superhuman strength along with heightened senses and endurance. Just like cats, Tigra is also incredibly agile which allows her to jump and land on her feet with ease.

4. Angel Catbird

As his name suggests, Angel Catbird is part cat and part bird. Strig Feleedus, who turns into Angel Catbird, got his supernatural abilities after working on a project where DNA from multiple creatures is mixed together. When Strig leaves the house, his cat named Ding runs out to catch a mouse, right at the same time an owl is flying toward it.

The three get hit by Strig’s boss, Mr. Muroid, and the formula spills onto him. This led to Strig’s DNA being combined with both a cat and an owl, which gives him the ability to communicate with animals. His appetite for rats and birds comes from both the owl and cat parts of him.

5. Feral

Feral was introduced in the 1990s as a mutant that has both villain and heroic tendencies. She is from the Marvel Universe, and she is a member of the X-Force and the sister of Thornn, her cat-like sister.

Feral had a type of feline mutation that left her with orange fur lightly covering her body, along with supernatural senses, night vision, a heightened sense of smell, and excellent coordination, agility, and strength, much like a cat. She also has a prehensile tail that makes her an agile climber.

6. Hellcat

Patsy Walker (Hellcat) is one of Marvel’s oldest characters and she was featured in comic books in the 1940s. She idolized the Avengers and eventually became part of the team after joining Doctor Strange’s superhero team called the Defenders. She started by wearing a costume and only had her athletic abilities to battle evil and she had built-in claws and grappler cables that were part of her costume.

This gave Hellcat her cat-like appearance. She develops other abilities eventually, such as telekinesis, and is an expert at identifying demons. She then goes on to have heightened senses and superhuman strength while being an agile, cat-like superhero.

7. Black Cat

Black Cat is featured in comic books where she is the daughter of a cat burglar. She follows in her father’s footsteps, but even though she starts as a villain, she eventually becomes a hero after becoming one of Spider Man’s love interests.

Black Cat has sharp claws that she uses to fight people with, while also having the supernatural ability to bring bad luck upon her enemies. Aside from being a skilled and agile fighter like a cat, Black Cat is well-trained in martial arts and as a gymnast.

8. Catman

Catman is a villain-turned-hero that hunted jungle cats. After being beaten by Batman and Catwoman, he moved to Africa. Here he became part of a group where he defeated lion poachers. His abilities make him an excellent tracker who is skilled with blades and fighting in combat. Aside from great fighting abilities, Catman believes that his suit gives him nine lives, just like the superstition about cats.

9. Puma

Puma (Thomas Fireheart) made a debut in 1984 in Marvel Comics as the CEO of the multi-million-dollar Fireheart Enterprises. Pumas’ secret identity is a half-mountain lion that has supernatural powers, and he can transform into Puma. He was genetically engineered by the Kisani Native American tribe, and he has incredibly fast speed while being strong.

Puma can take on damage while having the ability to heal fast. He has heightened senses and claws and fangs that he uses in combat. Even in Puma’s human form, he is still highly skilled.

10. Wildcat

Ted Grant was a professional fighter before becoming Wildcat. He is a main character in the DC Universe and was cursed by a magician to have nine lives. Wildcat was framed for a murder that he didn’t commit, so he chose this identity to take revenge for his criminal charge. He is an excellent and skillful fighter, and his curse allows him to heal very fast even with high damage while also being able to resurrect if he dies—but only nine times. Wildcat also picked up good night vision and heightened senses since his curse.

Conclusion

Cats have been the inspiration behind many superheroes. Many of these superheroes have a cat-like appearance, whether it is from costumes or similar supernatural abilities that cats have, such as increased agility, night vision, or heightened senses.

There is a cat-inspired superhero in most comic books and movies, which shows how popular cats are not only as pets but for their unique abilities too.

Featured Image Credit: Anton27, Shutterstock