Dickens & Rumi
Cover of The Cat from Outer Space

film

The Cat from Outer Space

1978

A UFO is stranded on earth and impounded by the US government. Its pilot, a cat with a collar that gives it special powers, including the ability to communicate with humans, has eluded the authorities and seeks the help of a scientist in order to reclaim and repair his ship and get back home.

Ages 6+Source checked

Why this age? Family-oriented G-rated comedy with mild suspense, comic chases, criminal threats, kidnapping, and a crash. The plot is generally reassuring, though younger children may find the danger or separation briefly tense. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age6+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Romance2/5
  • Violence2/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Good role models3/5

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What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Typical product placement for a studio film of the era, but no overt commercialism.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Dialogue is clean and typical of 1970s family programming.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Mild romantic interest between the human leads is incidental to the plot.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Some light tension involving government agents and criminals, but intended for a family audience.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Characters frequent a pool hall setting, but drug use is absent.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Contains mild slapstick comedy, scuffles with spies, and a climactic helicopter crash, but no realistic or gory harm.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters take risks to protect the alien and rescue friends.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Highly imaginative premise about alien abilities and problem-solving.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Represents the standard casting diversity of late 1970s US cinema.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Presents science fiction concepts in a fun, non-technical way.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Kindness and inter-species cooperation are the driving forces of the plot.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Themes of friendship, loyalty, and cooperation are central.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The leads act as helpful and protective figures throughout the story.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in The Cat from Outer Space would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Cat from Outer Space, and what caused that change?
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