Garfield: Difference between revisions

| owner = [[Paws, Inc.]]<br>{{small|([[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]], 2019)}}<br>{{small|([[Paramount Skydance|Paramount Skydance Corporation]], since 2019)}}

'''''Garfield''''' is an American [[comic strip]] and [[media franchise]] created by [[Jim Davis (cartoonist)|Jim Davis]]. Originally published locally as ''Jon'' in 1976 (later changed to ''Garfield'' in 1977), then in nationwide [[Print syndication|syndication]] from 1978, it chronicles the life of the title character [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]] the cat, [[Odie]] the dog, and their owner [[Jon Arbuckle]]. As of 2013, it was syndicated in roughly 2,580 newspapers and [[Magazine|journals]]; the comic held the [[Guinness World Record]] for being the world's most widely syndicated comic strip.<ref name="BW1">{{Cite news|title=Garfield Named World's Most Syndicated Comic Strip.|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Jan_22/ai_82001296|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040910215254/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Jan_22/ai_82001296|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2004|access-date=July 26, 2008|publisher=[[Business Wire]]|date=January 22, 2002}}</ref>

Though the strip's setting is rarely mentioned in print, the television special ''[[Happy Birthday, Garfield]]'' states that Garfield lives in [[Muncie, Indiana]], the hometown of the creator Jim Davis. The strip frequently focuses on Garfield's appetite, laziness, and interactions with other characters.  

''Garfield'' has been adapted into various forms of media. Several [[Garfield television specials|half-hour television specials]] aired on [[CBS]] between 1982 and 1991, starting with ''[[Here Comes Garfield]]'' and ending with ''[[Garfield Gets a Life]]''. Also airing on CBS from 1988 to 1994 was the animated series ''[[Garfield and Friends]]'', which additionally adapted Davis's comic strip ''[[U.S. Acres]]''. All of these featured [[Lorenzo Music]] as the voice of Garfield. The feature film ''[[Garfield: The Movie]]'' was released in 2004, followed by its [[sequel]], ''[[Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties]],'' in 2006. Both were live-action featuring a computer-animated Garfield voiced by [[Bill Murray]]. Another animated TV adaptation, ''[[The Garfield Show]]'', aired on [[France 3]] in France and [[Cartoon Network]] in the United States from 2009 to 2016. In addition, Garfield has been the subject of merchandise, video games, books, and other spin-off merchandise. The strip has also been re-published in compilations; the first of these, ''[[Garfield at Large]]'' (1980), developed what came to be known as the "Garfield format" for re-publication of newspaper comics in book form.

On August 6, 2019, New York City–based [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]] (now [[Paramount Skydance|Paramount Skydance Corporation]]) announced that it would acquire [[Paws, Inc.]], including most rights to the ''Garfield'' franchise (the comic strip, merchandise and animated cartoons).<ref name="Steinberg">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/garfield-nickelodedon-licensing-rights-viacom-1203293468/|title=Viacom Acquires Comic-Strip Cat Garfield|first=Brian|last=Steinberg|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=August 6, 2019|date=August 6, 2019|archive-date=May 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511222924/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/garfield-nickelodedon-licensing-rights-viacom-1203293468/|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal did not include the rights to the live-action ''Garfield'' films,<ref>{{cite web|last=Mullin|first=Benjamin|title=Viacom, Hungry For Hits, Gobbles Garfield|url=https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/viacom-hungry-for-hits-gobbles-up-garfield-11565107200|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=2019-08-06|access-date=2019-08-12|df=mdy-all|archive-date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812001344/https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/viacom-hungry-for-hits-gobbles-up-garfield-11565107200|url-status=live}}</ref> which are still owned by [[The Walt Disney Company]] through its [[20th Century Studios]] label, as well as ''[[The Garfield Movie]]'' (2024), released by [[Alcon Entertainment]] and  [[Sony Pictures]] under its [[Columbia Pictures]] label.<ref name="collider_com">{{cite web |last=O'Rourke |first=Ryan |date=September 16, 2022 |title=''Garfield'' Release Date Moved to Spring 2024 |url=https://collider.com/garfield-release-date-change-chris-pratt/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Collider |archive-date=September 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917020924/https://collider.com/garfield-release-date-change-chris-pratt/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A new animated series is in production for [[Paramount+]].

Cartoonist [[Jim Davis (cartoonist)|Jim Davis]] was born in [[Marion, Indiana]], and raised on a farm in [[Fairmount, Indiana]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Jim |title=Garfield at 25 : in dog years I'd be dead |last2=Acey |first2=Mark |last3=Nickel |first3=Scott |publisher=Ballantine Books |year=2002 |isbn=0345455304 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=21-22}}</ref> In 1973, while working as an assistant for T.K. Ryan's ''[[Tumbleweeds (comic strip)|Tumbleweeds]]'', he created the comic strip ''[[Gnorm Gnat]]'', which ran in the ''Pendleton Times'' of [[Pendleton, Indiana]], from 1973 to 1975 and met with little success. Davis had tried to [[Print syndication|syndicate]] the strip, but was unsuccessful; he noted that one editor told him that his "art was good, his gags were great, [but] nobody can identify with bugs."<ref name="Twenty"/> Davis decided to review current comic strips to determine what types of animal characters might be more popular. He felt that dogs were well represented, but noticed that there were no prominent cat characters.<ref name="Twenty">Davis. ''20 Years & Still Kicking!: Garfield's Twentieth Anniversary Collection''. p. 14.</ref>

The title character, [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]], was inspired by the cats Davis grew up with. It was named after Davis' grandfather, James A. Garfield Davis, whose personality also influenced the character; Davis described him as "a large, cantankerous man".<ref name="CNN">{{Cite news|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/fyi/student.bureau/10/24/jim.davis/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214062806/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/fyi/student.bureau/10/24/jim.davis/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 14, 2009|title=The cat's meow|date=October 6, 2000|publisher=CNN|first=Gerrard|last=Hall|access-date=July 26, 2008}}</ref> Garfield's owner, [[Jon Arbuckle]], was named after a 1950s coffee advertisement. Jon's roommate, Lyman, was introduced to provide Jon with a conversational foil and was named after a character from Davis' earlier comic strip, ''Gnorm Gnat''.<ref name="Twenty"/> Lyman's dog was originally named Spot, but was later renamed to [[Odie]] to avoid confusion with another comic-strip dog of the same name in ''[[Boner's Ark]]''.  

The strip underwent significant stylistic changes, evolving from the style of the 1976–83 strips, to a more cartoonish visual style from 1984 onward. This change has mainly affected Garfield's design, which underwent a "Darwinian evolution" in which he began walking on his hind legs, "slimmed down", and more expressive. According to creator Jim Davis, these changes made the character easier to animate and stage in visual gags, such as pushing Odie off a table or reaching for food.<ref name="NYT1"/> The redesign was in part on the advice of Davis's mentor and erstwhile rival [[Charles M. Schulz]]. Although he regarded Garfield as less subtle than his own strip, ''[[Peanuts]],'' he provided valuable guidance, particularly in licensing and [[merchandising]]. Davis later applied many of these strategies to the ''Garfield'' franchise<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tardive |first=Ambrose |date=2024-06-19 |title=Peanuts vs. Garfield: Charles Schulz Secretly Considered Jim Davis His Arch-Rival |url=https://screenrant.com/peanuts-garfield-charles-schulz-jim-davis-rivalry/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=June 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619203352/https://screenrant.com/peanuts-garfield-charles-schulz-jim-davis-rivalry/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

While retaining creative control and being the only person to whom the strip is credited in newspapers, Davis now only writes and usually does the rough sketches. Since the late 1990s most of the work has been done by long-time assistants Brett Koth and Gary Barker. Inking and coloring work is done by other artists, while Davis spends most of the time supervising production and merchandising the characters.<ref name="slatewhyhate">{{cite magazine|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2004/06/why-we-don-t-hate-garfield.html|title=Why we don't hate Garfield.|access-date=June 20, 2020|last=Suellentrop|first=Chris|date=June 11, 2004|magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207125658/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2004/06/why-we-don-t-hate-garfield.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

 

The strip's title character is [[Garfield (character)|Garfield]], an obese orange tabby cat. Garfield's personality is defined by his sarcasm, laziness, and gluttony, with the character showing a particular affinity for [[lasagna]]. His owner is [[Jon Arbuckle]], a man with an affinity for stereotypically [[nerd]]y pastimes. Jon's other pet is [[Odie]], a dim-witted yellow dog. Most strips center around interactions among the three characters' conflicting personalities. For much of the strip's history, one recurring theme was Jon's unsuccessful attempts at [[dating]], particularly involving the pets' veterinarian, Dr. Liz Wilson, a character who also carried over from ''Jon''. However, after a 2006 story arc, the two engaged and started living together.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/garfield-jon-liz-relationship-romance-history-explained/ |title=Garfield: The evolution of Jon and Liz's 'relationship' in comics explained |publisher=Screen Rant |date=July 31, 2024 |accessdate=July 12, 2025 |author=Joe Anthony Myrick}}</ref> Many strips feature Jon, Garfield, and Odie visiting Jon's unnamed parents and brother Doc Boy on their family farm. Other side characters include various mice and spiders within the house, both frequent targets of abuse and scorn from Garfield; Garfield's [[teddy bear]] Pooky; Garfield's girlfriend Arlene, a pink cat; Nermal, a gray striped kitten who enjoys tormenting Garfield over his perceived age; and various other pets who live in the neighborhood.

Originally created with the intentions to "come up with a good, marketable character",<ref name="wapocat">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1982/12/12/lives-the-cat-that-rots-the-intellect/d6ed28c6-bee3-41ad-81f2-1839b34b87b1/|title=LIVES: The Cat That Rots the Intellect|access-date=June 23, 2019|last=Shapiro|first=Walter|date=December 12, 1982|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-date=June 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623024810/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1982/12/12/lives-the-cat-that-rots-the-intellect/d6ed28c6-bee3-41ad-81f2-1839b34b87b1/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Garfield'' has spawned merchandise earning $750&nbsp;million to $1&nbsp;billion annually. In addition to the various merchandise and commercial tie-ins, the strip has spawned several animated television specials<ref>{{Cite web |last=Howell |first=AJ |date=September 13, 2017 |title=The Attic of Animation: 'Garfield' TV Specials |url=https://www.rotoscopers.com/2017/09/13/the-attic-of-animation-garfield-tv-specials/ |access-date=April 25, 2026 |website=Rotoscopers}}</ref>, two animated television series<ref>{{Cite book |title=Garfield - Greatest. Cat. Ever. (Just ask him) |publisher=LIFE |year=2024 |pages=64-66}}</ref>, two theatrical feature-length [[live-action animated]] films<ref>{{Cite book |title=Garfield - Greatest. Cat. Ever. (Just ask him) |date=2024 |publisher=LIFE |publication-date=2024 |pages=70-71}}</ref>, three fully [[computer-animated]] [[direct-to-video]] films, and a theatrical computer-animated film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sirani |first=Jordan |date=May 24, 2024 |title=How to Watch The Garfield Movie – Showtimes and Streaming Status - IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/how-to-watch-the-garfield-movie |url-status=live |access-date=April 24, 2026 |website=IGN.com}}</ref>

As one of the world's most syndicated comic strips,<ref>{{cite news |first= Jerry |last= LaMartina |title= Garfield comic strip makes Guinness Book of World Records |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2002/01/28/daily4.html |work= Kansas City Business Journal |publisher= American City Business Journals |date= Jan 28, 2002 |access-date= December 3, 2019 |archive-date= September 20, 2002 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20020920074947/https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2002/01/28/daily4.html |url-status= live }}</ref> ''Garfield'' has spawned a "profusion"<ref name="slatewhyhate"/> of merchandise including clothing, toys, games, books, Caribbean cruises, credit cards, dolls,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/04/08/stories/2003040800360200.htm|title=The Hindu : Grab your Garfield now|publisher=Hinduonnet.com|access-date=January 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507134606/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/04/08/stories/2003040800360200.htm|archive-date=May 7, 2010|url-status=usurped}}</ref> DVDs of the movies or the TV series,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-131895890.html|title=Article: Garfield's ready to share the lasagna. – The Dallas Morning News (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune NewsService)|date=April 26, 2005|access-date=January 10, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125024924/http://www.highbeam.com/Search?searchTerm=Garfield's+ready+to+share+the+lasagna.&searchType=Article&currentPage=0&orderBy=|archive-date=January 25, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and related media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commercebank.com/personal/cards/credit/garfield-visa/|title=Garfield Credit Card|publisher=[[Commerce Bancshares|Commerce Bank]]|access-date=August 8, 2008|archive-date=October 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008233621/http://www.commercebank.com/personal/cards/credit/garfield-visa/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2024, [[Motel 6]] announced Garfield as their first "Chief Pet Officer" and Garfield-themed rooms for the release of ''[[The Garfield Movie]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 26, 2024 |title=Motel 6 in Biloxi now offering Garfield-themed room to guests |url=http://www.wlox.com/2024/04/27/motel-6-biloxi-now-offering-garfield-themed-room-guests/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=WLOX}}</ref>

Since 1980, the strip has been compiled in anthology books. The first, ''[[Garfield at Large]]'', was published in March 1980 by [[Ballantine Books]]. These books helped increase the strip's popularity through sales, leading to several of them reaching the top of the ''[[New York Times]]'' best-seller list.<ref name="pauer">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/407039982/ | title=The nine lives of Jim Davis | work=Dayton Daily News | date=June 19, 1988 | accessdate=January 8, 2023 | author=Frank Pauer | pages=6, 7, 10, 11, 15, 17}}</ref> For these compilation books, Davis devised a book layout which is considerably longer and less tall than the average book. This allowed the strip to be oriented in the same format as it appeared in the newspaper, as opposed to earlier comic strip anthologies which often stacked the panels vertically.<ref name="pauer"/> This book style has since been referred to in the publishing industry as the "Garfield format" and has been adapted by other publishers. Davis noted that it became popular for other comic strip anthologies in particular, such as those of ''[[The Far Side]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/216476886/ | title=Happy birthday, Garfield: Celebrated cartoon character marks 10th year of cat naps, lasagna | work=The Town Talk | date=June 20, 1988 | accessdate=January 8, 2023 | author=Jim Smillie | pages=C1, C2}}</ref>

A variety of edited ''Garfield'' strips have been made available on the Internet, with some being hosted on their own unofficial, dedicated sites. Dating from 2005, a site titled the "Garfield Randomizer" created a three-panel strip using panels from previous ''Garfield'' strips.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Garfield Generator |url=https://www.bgreco.net/garfield/ |access-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203215551/https://www.bgreco.net/garfield/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Another variation along the same lines, called "Realfield" or "Realistic Garfield", was to redraw Garfield as a real cat and remove his thought balloons.<ref name="tabby">{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/article/20081114/REVIEW/72206455/-1/ART|title=The tabby vanishes|access-date=December 25, 2008|last=Hamrah|first=A. S.|date=November 14, 2008|work=The National|publisher=thenational.ae|location=Abu Dhabi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212203731/http://www.thenational.ae/article/20081114/REVIEW/72206455/-1/ART|archive-date=February 12, 2009}} Review of ''Garfield Minus Garfield'' (Ballantine Books, 2008)</ref><ref name="realfield">{{cite web|url=http://www.collegehumor.com/hotlink:180801|title=Continuing in the 'making fun of Garfield tradition' I give you Realistic Garfield|date=February 29, 2008|access-date=December 25, 2008|publisher=[[CollegeHumor]]|archive-date=July 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729082402/http://www.collegehumor.com/hotlink:180801|url-status=live}} (hotlink)</ref> Still another approach to editing the strips involved removing Garfield and other main characters from the originals completely, leaving Jon talking to himself. While strips in this vein could be found online as early as 2006,<ref name="silentgarfield">{{cite web|url=http://www.truthandbeautybombs.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=4997&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0|title=Garfield|access-date=December 25, 2008|publisher=Truth and Beauty Bombs Forum|date=January 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221160206/http://www.truthandbeautybombs.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=4997&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0|archive-date=December 21, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> the 2008 site ''[[Garfield Minus Garfield]]'' by Dan Walsh received enough online attention to be covered by news media. Reception was largely positive: at its peak, the site received as many as 300,000 hits per day. Fans connected with Jon's "loneliness and desperation" and found his "crazy antics" humorous; Jim Davis himself called Walsh's strips an "inspired thing to do" and said that "some of [the strips] work better [than the originals]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/business/media/02garfield.html|title=Is the Main Character Missing? Maybe Not.|date=June 2, 2008|access-date=July 25, 2008|first=Cate|last=Doty|newspaper=The New York Times|archive-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120112921/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/business/media/02garfield.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/03/AR2008040303083.html|title=When the Cat's Away, Neurosis Is on Display|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 6, 2008|access-date=July 25, 2008|archive-date=January 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125213649/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/03/AR2008040303083.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ballantine Books, which publishes the ''Garfield'' books, released a volume of ''Garfield Minus Garfield'' strips on October 28, 2008. The volume retains Davis as author and features a foreword by Walsh.<ref name="tabby" />

===<span class="anchor" id="Television"></span> Television===

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:center;"

! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Television series

| colspan="1" | [[Frank Welker]]

| colspan="3" | [[Frank Welker]]

| colspan="1" rowspan="2" | [[Wally Wingert]]

| colspan="3" rowspan="2" | [[Wally Wingert]]

| rowspan="2" | [[Nicholas Hoult]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2022-08-17 |title='Garfield': Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Hannah Waddingham & Cecily Strong Board Animated Feature From Alcon Entertainment |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/garfield-adds-ving-rhames-nicholas-hoult-hannah-waddingham-cecily-strong-1235094576/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817175700/https://deadline.com/2022/08/garfield-adds-ving-rhames-nicholas-hoult-hannah-waddingham-cecily-strong-1235094576/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

| colspan="3" | [[Gregg Berger]]

| colspan="3" | [[Gregg Berger]]

| colspan="1" rowspan="3" |  Véronique Soufflet

| colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;" |

| colspan="1" | [[Jason Marsden]]

| colspan="3" | [[Jason Marsden]]

| colspan="1" | [[Audrey Wasilewski]]

| colspan="3" | [[Audrey Wasilewski]]

''[[The Garfield Show]]'', a [[computer-generated imagery|CGI]] series, started development in 2007 to coincide with the strip's 30th anniversary in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=23758|title=New CG Garfield To Air On Cartoon Network|date=June 26, 2008|publisher=[[Animation World Network]]|access-date=January 5, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305215116/http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=23758|archive-date=March 5, 2009}}</ref> It premiered in France in December 2008 and made its U.S. debut on [[Cartoon Network]] on November 2, 2009.

In March 2026, it was announced the Nickelodeon series was picked up by [[Paramount+]]. [[Lamorne Morris]] will voice the titular character.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='Garfield' Animated Series Ordered By Paramount+ With Lamorne Morris |url=https://deadline.com/2026/03/garfield-animated-series-paramount-plus-lamorne-morris-1236744371/ |website=Deadline |access-date=7 March 2026 |date=6 March 2026}}</ref>

|+{{sronly|Television specials broadcast in [[prime time]] featuring Garfield}}

!scope="row"| ''[[Here Comes Garfield]]''

| {{Start date|1982|10|25}} || {{nom}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/here-comes-garfield |title=Here Comes Garfield |website=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=October 27, 2016}}</ref>

!scope="row"| ''[[Garfield on the Town]]''

!scope="row"| ''[[Garfield in the Rough]]''

| {{Start date|1984|10|26}} || {{won}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/garfield-rough |title=Garfield in the Rough |website=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=October 27, 2016 |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622025538/https://www.emmys.com/shows/garfield-rough |url-status=live}}</ref>

| {{Start date|1986|5|27}} || {{nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/garfield-paradise |title=Garfield in Paradise |access-date=December 10, 2016 |website=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref>

| {{Start date|1987|12|21}} || {{nom}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/garfield-christmas-special |title=A Garfield Christmas Special |website=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref>

!scope="row"| ''[[Garfield: His 9 Lives#Television special|Garfield: His 9 Lives]]''

| {{Start date|1988|11|22}} || {{nom}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/garfield-his-9-lives |title=Garfield: His 9 Lives |access-date=December 10, 2016 |work=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220114120/http://www.emmys.com/shows/garfield-his-9-lives |url-status=live}}</ref>

!scope="row"| ''[[Garfield's Babes and Bullets]]''

| {{Start date|1989|5|23}} || {{won}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/garfield-babes-and-bullets |title=Garfield: Babes and Bullets |access-date=December 10, 2016 |work=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref>

| {{Start date|1989|11|22}} || {{nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/garfields-thanksgiving |title=Garfield's Thanksgiving |access-date=December 10, 2016 |work=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref>

| {{Start date|1990|5|18}} || {{nom}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/garfields-feline-fantasies |title=Garfield's Feline Fantasies |access-date=December 10, 2016 |work=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]}}</ref>

|-

!scope="row"| ''[[Garfield Gets a Life]]''

| {{Start date|1991|5|8}} || {{nom}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Terrace |first=Vincent |title=Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936–2012 |date=2013 |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=9780786474448 |page=162 |edition=2nd}}</ref>

{{Main|Garfield: The Movie|Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties|The Garfield Movie}}

A [[Live action|live-action]]/[[Computer animation|computer animated]] film titled ''[[Garfield: The Movie]]'' was released in theaters on June 11, 2004, and a sequel titled ''[[Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties]]'' was released on June 16, 2006. Both films were released by [[20th Century Fox]] with actor [[Bill Murray]] voicing the character in both films. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the films were both commercial successes. Three direct-to-video films were released by [[Paws, Inc.]] in cooperation with [[Davis Entertainment]]: ''[[Garfield Gets Real]]'' on November 20, 2007, ''[[Garfield's Fun Fest]]'' on August 5, 2008, and ''[[Garfield's Pet Force]]'' on June 16, 2009.<ref>{{Cite book |last=McCance |first=Rodney |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1WA8zgEACAAJ |title=The Creation of Garfield |date=2021 |publisher=Pen & Sword Books Limited |isbn=978-1-5267-6834-6 |language=en}}</ref>

On May 24, 2016, it was announced that [[Alcon Entertainment]] would develop a new CG-animated ''[[The Garfield Movie|Garfield]]'' film, with John Cohen and Steven P. Wegner producing, and [[Mark Dindal]] directing the feature.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/garfield-animated-movie-alcon-1201781160/|title='Garfield' Animated Movie in the Works at Alcon|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=November 27, 2016|archive-date=May 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524192445/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/garfield-animated-movie-alcon-1201781160/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://movieweb.com/movie/garfield/|title=Garfield is Getting a Fully CG-Animated Movie Reboot|access-date=November 27, 2016|archive-date=November 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127221835/http://movieweb.com/movie/garfield/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/mark-dindal-to-direct-all-animated-garfield-feature-for-alcon-166468.html|title=Mark Dindal To Direct All-Animated 'Garfield' Feature For Alcon|date=November 12, 2018|website=Cartoon Brew|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-date=November 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114045404/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/mark-dindal-to-direct-all-animated-garfield-feature-for-alcon-166468.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2019, [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]] acquired the rights to Garfield, leaving the status of the movie for the time uncertain, with Dindal confirming that the film was still in production in December 2020.<ref name="Steinberg" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/12/18/wdfm-mark-dindal-event-recap/|title=Happily Ever After Hours with Animator and Filmmaker Mark Dindal|date=December 19, 2020|access-date=December 20, 2020|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205124306/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/12/18/wdfm-mark-dindal-event-recap/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 1, 2021, [[Chris Pratt]] was announced as the voice of Garfield, with animation being provided by [[DNEG]], a production company of the film. [[David Reynolds (screenwriter)|David Reynolds]] was announced as the screenwriter of the film, reuniting him with Dindal after they worked together on ''[[The Emperor's New Groove]]''. [[Sony Pictures]] will maintain global distribution rights for the film, apart from China.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/garfield-chris-pratt-to-play-title-character-in-alcon-animated-film-1234865972/|title='Garfield': Chris Pratt To Voice Title Character In Alcon Entertainment's Animated Film|last=Grobar|first=Matt|work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 2, 2021|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104234544/https://deadline.com/2021/11/garfield-chris-pratt-to-play-title-character-in-alcon-animated-film-1234865972/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 24, 2022, [[Samuel L. Jackson]] joined the voice cast as Vic, Garfield's father.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2022-05-24 |title=Samuel L. Jackson Joins Chris Pratt In Alcon Entertainment's 'Garfield' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/samuel-l-jackson-joins-chris-pratt-in-alcon-entertainments-garfield-1235031537/ |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=Deadline |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525150516/https://deadline.com/2022/05/samuel-l-jackson-joins-chris-pratt-in-alcon-entertainments-garfield-1235031537/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The movie was released on May 24, 2024, and was a success, bringing in a box office total of $255.4 million worldwide on a budget of $60 million. Pratt has been confirmed to return in the sequel, announced on July 8, 2025.<ref name="collider_com" />

===Video games===

A ''Garfield'' video game was developed by [[Atari, Inc.]] for its [[Atari 2600]] home [[video game system]] and appears in their 1984 catalog.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://atariage.com/catalog_page.html?CatalogID=67&currentPage=4|title=Atari (CO25618-001 Rev. A)|publisher=Atari, Inc.|work=AtariAge|date=1984|access-date=May 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615151625/http://atariage.com/catalog_page.html?CatalogID=67&currentPage=4|archive-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, after [[Atari Corporation|Atari's spinoff and sale]] of its home games and computers division, owner [[Jack Tramiel]] decided the character's [[royalties]] were too expensive given the [[Video game crash of 1983|declining state]] of the [[video game industry]] at the time, and the game was cancelled.<ref name="garfieldproto">{{cite web|url=http://www.atariprotos.com/2600/software/garfield/garfield.htm|title=Garfield|publisher=AtariProtos|access-date=May 24, 2018|archive-date=May 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527120250/http://www.atariprotos.com/2600/software/garfield/garfield.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[ROM image]] of the game was however released with Jim Davis' blessing.<ref name="garfieldproto"/>

''[[Garfield: Big Fat Hairy Deal]]'' is a 1987 video game for the [[Atari ST]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Amstrad CPC]] and the [[Amiga]] based on the [[comic strip]]. Towa Chiki made ''[[A Week of Garfield]]'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Family Computer]], released only in Japan in 1989. [[Sega]] also made the 1995 video game ''[[Garfield: Caught in the Act]]'' for the [[Sega Genesis|Sega Genesis/Mega Drive]], [[Game Gear]] and Windows 3.1 computers. Other companies made games, such as ''[[Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (video game)|A Tale of Two Kitties]]'' for the [[Nintendo DS|DS]], published by Game Factory, ''[[Garfield's Nightmare]]'' for DS, ''Garfield's Funfest'' for DS, and ''[[Garfield Labyrinth]]'' for [[Game Boy]]. On PlayStation 2 were ''Garfield'' and ''Garfield 2'' (known in the US as ''Garfield, a Tale of Two Kitties''). ''[[Garfield: Lasagna World Tour]]'' was also made for PS2. ''Garfield: Saving Arlene'' was only released in Japan and in the United Kingdom.

In 2012, a series of Garfield video games was launched by French publisher [[Anuman Interactive]], including ''My Puzzles with Garfield!'', ''Multiplication Tables with Garfield'', ''[[Garfield Kart]]'', ''[[Garfield Kart#Sequel|Garfield Kart: Furious Racing]]'', and ''Garfield's Match Up''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Farrugia|first=Nathan|url=http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2013/10/garfield-kart-new-details-and-pictures/|title=Garfield Kart New Details and Pictures – Capsule Computers|publisher=Capsulecomputers.com.au|access-date=May 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812130505/http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2013/10/garfield-kart-new-details-and-pictures/|archive-date=August 12, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Garfield appears as a playable character in several Nickelodeon crossover games, including ''[[Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl]]'', ''[[Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway]]'', and ''[[Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nickelodeon-all-star-brawl-garfield|title=Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl's First DLC Character is Garfield|last=Bailey|first=Kat|date=December 7, 2021|website=IGN|access-date=December 7, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207170232/https://www.ign.com/articles/nickelodeon-all-star-brawl-garfield|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Joseph Papp]], producer of ''[[A Chorus Line]]'', discussed making a Garfield stage musical, but due to some complications, it never got off ground. A full-length stage musical, titled "Garfield Live", was planned to kick off its US tour in September 2010, but got moved to January 18, 2011, where it premiered in [[Muncie, Indiana]]. The book was written by Jim Davis, with music and lyrics by Michael Dansicker and Bill Meade, and it was booked by AWA Touring Services. The opening song, "Cattitude", can be heard on the national tour's website, along with two more, "On the Fence" and "Going Home!".<ref>{{cite web|title=Garfield Live on Stage|url=http://garfieldthemusical.com/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011093814/http://garfieldthemusical.com/|archive-date=October 11, 2009}}</ref> When the North American tour concluded in 2012, it toured throughout Asia.

===Comic book===

In agreement with Paws, [[Boom! Studios]] launched in May 2012 a monthly ''Garfield'' comic book, with the first issue featuring a story written by [[Mark Evanier]] (who has supervised ''[[Garfield and Friends]]'' and ''[[The Garfield Show]]'') and illustrated by Davis's long-time assistant Gary Barker.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Garfield Comic Book|url=http://www.garfield.com/news/stories.html?boom&boom|access-date=April 30, 2012|archive-date=October 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026120952/https://garfield.com/news/stories.html?boom&boom|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, [[Hermes Press]] signed an agreement with Paws, Inc to publish an art book on the art of author Jim Davis, titled ''The Art of Jim Davis' Garfield''.<ref name="Herman">{{cite web|last=Herman|first=Daniel|title=[SOLICITATIONS] THE ART OF JIM DAVIS' GARFIELD TO BE RELEASED BY HERMES PRESS|url=http://majorspoilers.com/2016/03/21/solicitations-art-jim-davis-garfield-released-hermes-press/|work=Major Spoilers|date=March 21, 2016|access-date=March 21, 2016|archive-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402034011/http://majorspoilers.com/2016/03/21/solicitations-art-jim-davis-garfield-released-hermes-press/|url-status=live}}</ref> The book includes an essay by author [[R.C. Harvey]] and other original material, and was released in July 2016 for [[San Diego Comic-Con]].<ref name="Herman"/>

===Restaurant===

In 2018, a [[ghost restaurant]] themed after the franchise known as [[GarfieldEats|GarfieldEATS]] was opened in [[Dubai]]. Customers order food through the official mobile app, which also contains games and allows users to purchase episodes of ''Garfield and Friends''. The restaurant serves lasagna, Garfield-shaped pizza, "[[Cappuccino|Garfuccinos]]", and Garfield-shaped dark chocolate bars. A second location opened in [[Toronto]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Kane |first1=Josh |title=Canadian entrepreneur behind GarfieldEATS wants to disrupt fast-food, one lasagna at a time |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-canadian-entrepreneur-behind-garfieldeats-wants-to-disrupt-fast-food/ |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=20 June 2020 |date=5 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bowman |first1=Lisa |title=There's a food delivery app only sells Garfield themed cuisine |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/04/12/food-delivery-app-sells-garfield-themed-cuisine-7462293/ |website=Metro |access-date=20 June 2020 |date=12 April 2018 |archive-date=August 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801025800/https://metro.co.uk/2018/04/12/food-delivery-app-sells-garfield-themed-cuisine-7462293/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and a dispute over rent, the restaurant closed in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brimstin |first=Chelsea |title=Toronto 'Garfield'-themed pizza restaurant GarfieldEATS has closed |website=Indie88 |url=https://indie88.com/toronto-garfield-themed-pizza-restaurant-garfieldeats-has-closed/ |date=12 Nov 2020 |access-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113062811/https://indie88.com/toronto-garfield-themed-pizza-restaurant-garfieldeats-has-closed/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many of the gags focus on Garfield's obsessive eating and obesity; his dislike of spiders; his hatred of Mondays, diets, and any form of exertion; his constant shedding (which annoys Jon); and his abuse of Odie and Jon as well as his obsession with mailing [[List of Garfield characters|Nermal]] to [[Abu Dhabi]], or simply throwing him ''through'' the front door. Though he will eat nearly anything (with the exception of [[raisin]]s and [[spinach]]), Garfield is particularly fond of [[lasagna]]; he also enjoys eating Jon's houseplants and other pets.{{citation needed|date=February 2026}}

He also has odd relationships with household pests; Garfield generally spares mice, and even cooperates with them to cause mischief, but will readily swat or pound spiders flat. Other gags focus on Jon's poor social skills and inability to get a date; before he started dating Liz, he often tried to get dates, usually without success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ga/1996/ga960614.gif|title=The Garfield Vault Strip|date=June 14, 1996|access-date=August 5, 2008|archive-date=September 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927191229/http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ga/1996/ga960614.gif|url-status=live}}</ref>

Garfield's world has specific locations that appear normally on the comic strips, like the vet's office. Irma's Diner is another occasional setting. Irma is a chirpy but slow-witted and unattractive waitress/manager, and one of Jon's few friends. The terrible food is the center of most of the jokes, along with the poor management. Jon periodically visits his parents and brother on the farm. This results in week-long comical displays of stupidity by Jon and his family, and their interactions. There is a comic strip where Jon and his brother Doc Boy are watching socks floating in the washing machine and Doc Boy exclaims "There goes the red sock again!" as they sit together on a couch, watching it as if it were a television program.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 17, 1990 |title=Garfield by Jim Davis for July 17, 1990 |url=https://www.gocomics.com/garfield/1990/07/17 |url-status=live |access-date=April 25, 2026 |website=GoComics}}</ref>

On the farm, Jon's mother will cook huge dinners; Garfield hugs her for this. Jon has a grandmother who, in a strip, once kicked Odie; Garfield subsequently hugged her. Jon's parents have twice visited Jon, Garfield, and Odie in the city. Jon's father drove into town on his [[tractor]] and brought a rooster to wake him up. As Garfield has a love for food, they will often eat out at restaurants. Most trips end up embarrassing because Garfield will pig out, or Jon will do something stupid, including wearing an ugly shirt, which happened one night when he took Liz on a date. When Jon takes Liz on a date, Garfield occasionally tags along—once, he ate the bread and other food at an Italian restaurant they went to.<ref name="The Garfield Vault Strip">{{cite web|url=http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ga/2007/ga070819.gif|title=The Garfield Vault Strip|date=August 19, 2007|access-date=June 6, 2008|work=Garfield.com|archive-date=October 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029015904/http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ga/2007/ga070819.gif|url-status=live}}</ref>

Frequently, the characters break the [[fourth wall]], mostly to explain something to the readers, talk about a subject that often sets up the strip's punchline,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ga/1992/ga920125.gif|title=The Garfield Vault Strip|date=January 25, 1992|access-date=June 21, 2008|work=Garfield.com|archive-date=September 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927191243/http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ga/1992/ga920125.gif|url-status=live}}</ref> or give a mere glare when a character is belittled or not impressed. Sometimes, this theme revolves around the conventions of the strip; for example, in one strip, Garfield catches a cold and complains about it, noting that his thoughts are stuffed up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ga/1978/ga781127.gif|title=The Garfield Vault Strip|date=November 27, 1978|access-date=June 21, 2008|work=Garfield.com|archive-date=August 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817225127/http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ga/1978/ga781127.gif|url-status=live}}</ref>

One storyline, which ran the week before [[Halloween]] in 1989, is unique among Garfield strips in that it is not meant to be humorous.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/its-not-just-you-garfield-is-not-meant-to-be-funny-6199556/ |title=It's Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny |date=March 20, 2013 |access-date=April 29, 2018 |magazine=Smithsonian Magazine |last=Eveleth |first=Rose |author-link=Rose Eveleth |archive-date=April 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430113901/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/its-not-just-you-garfield-is-not-meant-to-be-funny-6199556/ |url-status=live }}</ref>It depicts Garfield awakening in a future in which the house is abandoned and he no longer exists. In Garfield's ''Twentieth Anniversary Collection'', in which the strips are reprinted, Jim Davis discusses the genesis for this series:

{{blockquote|During a writing session for Halloween, I got the idea for this decidedly different series of strips. I wanted to scare people. And what do people fear most? Why, being alone. We carried out the concept to its logical conclusion and got a lot of responses from readers. Reaction ranged from 'Right on!' to 'This isn't a trend, is it?'{{citation needed|date=February 2026}}}}

One of the recurring storylines involves Garfield getting lost or running away. The longest one of these lasted for over a month (in 1986, from August 25 to September 28); it began with Jon telling Garfield to go get the newspaper. Garfield walks outside to get it, but speculates about what will happen if he wanders off – and decides to find out. Jon notices Garfield has been gone too long, so he sends Odie out to find him. He quickly realizes his mistake (Odie, being not too bright, also gets lost). Jon starts to get lonely, so he offers a reward for the return of Garfield and Odie. He is not descriptive, so animals including an elephant, [[monkey]]s, a [[Pinniped|seal]], a snake, a [[kangaroo]] and [[joey (marsupial)|joey]], and turtles are brought to Jon's house for the reward. After a series of events, including Odie being adopted by a small girl, both pets meeting up at a circus that they briefly join, and both going to a pet shop, Garfield and Odie make it back home.{{citation needed|date=February 2026}}

Another story involved Jon going away on a business trip around Christmas time, leaving Garfield a week's worth of food, which he devoured instantly. Garfield then leaves the house and gets locked out. He then reunites with his mother, and eventually makes it back home in the snow on Christmas Eve (December 3–23, 1984). Part of this storyline was taken from the 1983 Emmy-winning special ''[[Garfield on the Town]]''.{{citation needed|date=February 2026}}

* ''[[Heathcliff (comic strip)|Heathcliff]]'' – another American comic strip featuring an orange cat

* {{Cite book|last=Davis|first=Jim|title=20 Years & Still Kicking!: Garfield's Twentieth Anniversary Collection |location=New York |publisher=Ballantine Books|year=1998|isbn=978-0-345-42126-5}}

* {{Cite book|last=Davis|first=Jim|title=In Dog Years I'd be Dead: Garfield at 25|publisher=Random House |year=2004|isbn=978-0-345-45204-7}}

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