Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties
Garfield (Bill Murray) is back and this time he and his canine sidekick Odie follow their owner, Jon Arbuckle (Breckin Meyer), to England, the U.K. may never recover, as Garfield is mistaken for a look-alike, regal cat who has inherited a castle. Garfield savors the royal treatment afforded by his loyal four-legged subjects, but his reign is in jeopardy. The evil nefarious stubborn Lord Dargis (Sir Billy Connolly) is determined to do away with Garfield, so he can turn the castle into a resort. Garfield's bigger, better, more perfect world is soon turned upside down in this tale of two kitties.
Despite a moderate budget of $60.0M, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties became a box office success, earning $141.7M worldwide—a 136% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006) exhibits carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Tim Hill's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 26 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Garfield
Prince XII
Jon Arbuckle
Liz Wilson
Lord Dargis
Odie
Smithee
Winston
Main Cast & Characters
Garfield
Played by Bill Murray
A lazy, lasagna-loving orange tabby cat who accidentally switches places with a royal cat in England.
Prince XII
Played by Tim Curry
A pampered aristocratic cat who inherits a castle and looks identical to Garfield.
Jon Arbuckle
Played by Breckin Meyer
Garfield's kind but clueless owner who travels to London to propose to Liz.
Liz Wilson
Played by Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jon's veterinarian girlfriend who accompanies him to London.
Lord Dargis
Played by Billy Connolly
The scheming nephew of Lady Eleanor who wants to inherit the castle and turn it into a resort.
Odie
Played by Bill Murray
Jon's loyal and energetic dog who helps search for Garfield in England.
Smithee
Played by Ian Abercrombie
The loyal butler at Carlyle Castle who serves Prince XII and the estate.
Winston
Played by Bob Hoskins
A noble bulldog and leader of the barnyard animals at Carlyle estate.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Garfield lives his perfect life in suburban America, pampered and ruling Jon's house with an iron paw. He has everything he wants: lasagna, comfort, and Jon's complete devotion.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Jon announces they're going to London, forcing Garfield out of his comfortable suburban existence. Garfield is horrified at leaving his perfect routine and comfortable home.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 23% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Garfield wanders away from Jon's hotel and is mistaken for Prince. He chooses to go along with it when he discovers the royal treatment, entering the world of Carlyle Castle and its luxuries, while Prince is dumped in London., moving from reaction to action.
At 41 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Lord Dargis realizes "Prince" (actually Garfield) has returned and intensifies his efforts to eliminate him before the royal decree is read. Garfield discovers he's in actual danger—this isn't just fun and games anymore. The stakes become life and death., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 63 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Garfield is locked in a dungeon or trapped by Lord Dargis, facing death. He's alone, separated from everyone, and realizes his selfishness has led to this moment. He may lose everything—including his life. The castle animals lose hope., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 68 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Garfield decides to truly become a hero for once in his life. The castle animals rally to help him escape. Prince and Odie arrive from London. Garfield synthesizes his cleverness with Prince's nobility, ready to stop Dargis and save Carlyle Castle., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties against these established plot points, we can identify how Tim Hill utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties within the adventure genre.
Tim Hill's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Tim Hill films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tim Hill filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Tim Hill analyses, see The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, The War with Grandpa and Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Garfield lives his perfect life in suburban America, pampered and ruling Jon's house with an iron paw. He has everything he wants: lasagna, comfort, and Jon's complete devotion.
Theme
Jon mentions to Liz that he wants to propose to her in London, suggesting that sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone for love and growth. This hints at the film's theme about embracing responsibility and thinking of others.
Worldbuilding
We see Garfield's comfortable routine in suburban America, his relationship with Jon and Odie, Jon's plan to propose to Liz in London, and the parallel introduction of Prince, a royal cat in England who looks identical to Garfield and is about to inherit a castle.
Disruption
Jon announces they're going to London, forcing Garfield out of his comfortable suburban existence. Garfield is horrified at leaving his perfect routine and comfortable home.
Resistance
Garfield resists the journey to London, complaining throughout the plane ride. Upon arrival in London, he explores the city reluctantly. Meanwhile, we see Prince at Carlyle Castle and learn about Lord Dargis's evil plan to eliminate Prince to inherit the estate.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Garfield wanders away from Jon's hotel and is mistaken for Prince. He chooses to go along with it when he discovers the royal treatment, entering the world of Carlyle Castle and its luxuries, while Prince is dumped in London.
Mirror World
Garfield meets Bolley and the other castle animals who serve Prince. They represent loyalty, duty, and service to others—the opposite of Garfield's selfish nature. Prince, now in London, meets Odie and Jon, beginning his journey in the "common" world.
Premise
Garfield enjoys the royal life at Carlyle Castle, being pampered and treated like royalty. He indulges in every luxury while the castle animals believe he's Prince. Meanwhile, Prince experiences suburban life with Jon and Odie, learning what it means to be an ordinary pet.
Midpoint
Lord Dargis realizes "Prince" (actually Garfield) has returned and intensifies his efforts to eliminate him before the royal decree is read. Garfield discovers he's in actual danger—this isn't just fun and games anymore. The stakes become life and death.
Opposition
Lord Dargis escalates his attempts to kill Garfield. Garfield tries to maintain his charade while dodging danger. The castle animals begin to notice "Prince" acting strangely. Jon searches London for his missing cat. Dargis grows more desperate and dangerous.
Collapse
Garfield is locked in a dungeon or trapped by Lord Dargis, facing death. He's alone, separated from everyone, and realizes his selfishness has led to this moment. He may lose everything—including his life. The castle animals lose hope.
Crisis
Garfield reflects on his journey in his darkest moment. He realizes he's been selfish and that the castle animals depend on "Prince" to save their home. He has a choice: save himself or become the leader they need.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Garfield decides to truly become a hero for once in his life. The castle animals rally to help him escape. Prince and Odie arrive from London. Garfield synthesizes his cleverness with Prince's nobility, ready to stop Dargis and save Carlyle Castle.
Synthesis
Garfield and Prince work together with the animals to outwit Lord Dargis. An elaborate finale unfolds at the castle involving all the animals, exposing Dargis's villainy. The royal decree is read, securing the castle for the animals. Dargis is defeated and expelled.
Transformation
Back in suburban America, Garfield has changed. He shows affection for Jon and Odie, having learned to think of others. He's still Garfield, but now with a touch of nobility and selflessness. The opening image of pure selfishness is transformed into contentment with purpose.