Ahead of the release of “Toy Story 5” arriving in theaters next week, Pixar has already offered fans a look at its next original adventure. This time, audiences will be heading to Italy and experiencing the world through the eyes of a group of lovable felines in the upcoming feature film, “Gatto.”
Set to arrive in theaters next March, the film will transport animation fans to the stunning city of Venice, Italy, bringing one of the world’s most iconic destinations to life through Pixar’s signature visual storytelling.
Up until now, details surrounding the project have remained largely under wraps. However, thanks to the release of the first trailer, viewers can finally get their first glimpse at what this original story has in store.
Mark Ruffalo (“Poor Things,” “The Avengers,” “Spotlight, “Foxcatcher”) has joined the voice cast as the scrappy black cat Nero, and Laurence Fishburne (“The Matrix” trilogy, “Boyz n the Hood,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It”) will voice the ruthless mob boss cat Rocco. The teaser trailer introduces Nero and Rocco as they question another cat in a funny interrogation scene.
In “Gatto,” after years of maneuvering the canal-ridden, superstitious city of Venice, Italy, Nero begins to question whether he’s lived the right lives. Indebted to Rocco, the local feline mob boss, Nero finds himself in a quandary and is forced to forge a truly unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose—unless Venice gets the better of him first.
“Gatto” is directed by Enrico Casarosa and produced by Andrea Warren, the filmmaking team behind the Oscar®-nominated feature “Luca.” The new film releases exclusively in theaters March 5, 2027.
While the film appears to be built around a compelling and universal journey of self-discovery, questioning life choices, and finding one’s place in the world, there is one takeaway that immediately stands out above all else.
These cats are absolutely adorable.
While Pixar has frequently featured non-human protagonists throughout its history, it somehow feels long overdue for the animation studio to embrace cats as the stars of one of its films. Cats have long proven themselves to be charming, entertaining, and endlessly lovable characters across all forms of storytelling. Now, Pixar is finally adding its own feline heroes to that roster.
Any cat owner watching the trailer will likely find themselves laughing at the completely relatable moments sprinkled throughout. Like it’s batting at a dangling light pull, these animated felines capture the playful and often chaotic energy that cat lovers know all too well.
In fact, it may be safe to assume that future plushies, toys, and collectibles based on these characters are already destined to become must-have items when the film arrives next spring. Don’t be surprised if more than a few of them find their way into Easter baskets shortly after release.
Beyond the undeniable charm of its feline cast, “Gatto” also looks visually stunning.
While breathtaking animation has become an expectation whenever Pixar releases a new film, this project appears to be pushing the studio’s artistic style in exciting new directions. From the lighting and textures to the handcrafted feel of each frame, the film’s visual language feels fresh while still retaining the emotional warmth audiences have come to expect from Pixar.
As the film is still many months away from its March 5 release, there is plenty left to discover about “Gatto.” But if this first trailer is any indication, Pixar may have another memorable original story on its paws.
And if nothing else, it serves as a timely reminder that tuna remains a very important life priority.