Pets aren’t just companions—they lower our blood pressure, keep us company and, more often than not, entertain us. They’re also typically hilarious and adorable, which makes them perfect scene-stealers on screen.

Booked & Screened looks at film adaptations of books featuring some very good (and occasionally chaotic) pets.

‘The Princess Diaries’- Fat Louie the cat

Mia Thermopolis’ 25-pound cat, Fat Louie, is a favorite among fans of “The Princess Diaries.” The Meg Cabot series, which began in 2000, follows awkward teen Mia, played by Anne Hathaway in the films, who learns that she is royalty. The orange cat appears in all 10 books. The character caused controversy when the 2001 film premiered because he was played by a tuxedo cat instead of the orange one described in the books. Fat Louie also appears in the 2004 sequel, “The Princess Diaries: A Royal Engagement.”

‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’- Enzo the dog

Enzo the golden retriever narrates both the 2019 film and the 2008 novel by Garth Stein. Kevin Costner voices the philosophical canine, while Milo Ventimiglia plays his owner, race car driver Denny. The story follows Denny’s life through Enzo’s eyes, with Amanda Seyfried co-starring in the emotional adaptation.

‘Superman,’ ‘Supergirl,’ ‘Smallville’- Krypto the Super Dog

Krypto the Super Dog is a certified star. He first appeared in comics in 1955 and has since shown up in TV series, films and video games—and even headlined his own animated series. Originally known as Superman’s pet, more recent adaptations place him with Supergirl. He appears in 2025’s “Superman,” starring David Corenswet, and is featured in trailers for the upcoming “Supergirl,” starring Milly Alcock.

‘A Man Called Ove’/‘A Man Called Otto’- Cat

In Fredrik Backman’s 2012 novel “A Man Called Ove” and its 2022 film adaptation “A Man Called Otto,” the title character becomes the reluctant owner of a scruffy, persistent cat. Otto, played by Tom Hanks, is a grieving widower whose life begins to improve thanks to his new neighbors—and the cat. He tries to push the feline away, but it ultimately takes over his home—and his heart.

‘Pet Sematary’- Church the cat

In “Pet Sematary,” the Creed family’s cat, Church, becomes one of the story’s most terrifying figures after being buried in a mysterious pet cemetery. What returns is not quite the same animal, setting off a chain of scary events. The 1983 horror novel has been adapted multiple times, including films in 1989 and 2019. Other animals in the story also leave their mark.