Garfield

  • 2004
  • PG
  • 80m
movieMx RATING
5.7
4.2K
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Garfield Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: April 13, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: April 13, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: Garfield

MovieGarfield
Release Year2004
DirectorPeter Hewitt
GenreComedy / Family
Runtime80 minutes
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Garfield (2004) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in Garfield are led by Bill Murray . The supporting cast, including Breckin Meyer and Jennifer Love Hewitt , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of Garfield (2004) is mixed. It has its moments but fails to leave a lasting impression. With a platform rating of 5.7/10, it currently stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our database.

What Works in the Movie

While Garfield does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Comedy films.

  • Interesting concept or premise
  • Some entertaining scenes
  • Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, Garfield has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: Garfield

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2004, Garfield is a Comedy, Family film directed by Peter Hewitt. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Bill Murray.

Story Breakdown

The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Garfield, the fat, lazy, lasagna lover, has everything a cat could want. But when Jon, in an effort to impress the Liz - the vet and an old high-school crush - adopts a dog named Odie and brings him home, Garfield gets the one thing he doesn't want. Competition. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
  • Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
  • Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.

Ending Explained: Garfield

Garfield Ending Explained: Directed by Peter Hewitt, Garfield attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.

The conclusion reflects the central themes explored throughout the narrative, particularly in scenes involving Bill Murray. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
  • Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the comedy themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of Garfield reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch Garfield?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Comedy films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment

Box Office Collection: Garfield

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $50.0M
Worldwide Gross $200.8M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

Garfield Budget

The estimated production budget for Garfield is $50.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: Garfield

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Where to Watch Garfield Online?

Streaming Hub

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Garfield Parents Guide & Age Rating

2004 Advisory
PG

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Garfield age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Garfield is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Garfield is 80 minutes (1h 20m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.7/10, and global performance metrics, Garfield is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2004 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Garfield. Rating: 5.7/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Garfield worth watching?

Garfield is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.7/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Garfield parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Garfield identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Garfield?

The total duration of Garfield is 80 minutes, which is approximately 1h 20m long.

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Critic Reviews for Garfield

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.7
Garfield
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