Judi Dench Criticizes 2019 Film Cats in New Memoir
The veteran actress reveals in her upcoming book that she never watched the final version of the musical adaptation.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Cats
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Judi Dench, who portrayed Old Deuteronomy in the 2019 adaptation of Cats, has expressed criticism of the film in her upcoming memoir. The actress admits she never viewed the final cut of the production after appearing in the movie.
Why it matters
Her comments bring renewed attention to the commercially and critically unsuccessful film that featured actors as cat-human hybrids. The project struggled significantly at the box office and among film critics.
The film earned $75 million against a $100 million production budget, resulting in an estimated net loss between $70 million and $113 million. It holds a 19% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The players
Judi Dench
Judi Dench is an acclaimed British actress who has appeared in numerous stage and screen productions throughout her career.
Tom Hooper
Tom Hooper is a film director recognized for his work on major cinematic musical adaptations and historical dramas.
Lee Hall
Lee Hall is a professional screenwriter and playwright known for his work on several high-profile film adaptations.
The details
Directed by Tom Hooper with a script by Lee Hall, the musical utilized extensive makeup to transform cast members into cat-human hybrids. The project failed to resonate with audiences or reviewers during its theatrical run.
Timeline
December 20, 2019: The film Cats was released in theaters.
November 3, 2026: Judi Dench's memoir Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? will be released.
Culture Shift
The backlash against the 2019 film Cats reflects a broader industry skepticism toward digital human-animal hybrid visual effects in cinema. This sentiment follows the historical trajectory of ambitious musical adaptations that failed to connect with modern audiences.
For readers and film enthusiasts, this news highlights the ongoing disconnect between big-budget production expectations and artistic outcomes. It serves as a reminder of how high-profile projects can impact viewer engagement with the musical genre.
The takeaway
This story serves as a reminder that even high-budget productions featuring celebrated actors can fail to achieve commercial or critical success. Viewers are often reminded to research audience sentiment before investing time in highly polarizing film projects.
What happens next
Judi Dench's memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, is scheduled for release on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more industry updates on the Cats section page.
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