Common Sense Media Review
By Yvonne Condes
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet memoir-based drama deals with drug addiction.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Street Cat Named Bob
What's the Story?
In A STREET CAT NAMED BOB, James (Luke Treadaway) is an on-again, off-again heroin addict who gets the chance to turn his life around for good when he meets Bob, a stray cat he grows to love. James starts taking Bob with him when he plays guitar around London, and they become a sensation. With Bob at his side, James learns what love and responsibility really mean.
Is It Any Good?
This is a sweet little film about serious issues. Treadway is believable as James, an addict who's trying to get clean. He picks food out of trash cans and sleeps on the street -- and even though he's an excellent guitar player on the streets of London, he's invisible. A Street Cat Named Bob brings up lots of issues that parents can talk about, including the hazards of homelessness and what can happen if you do drugs (one of James' friends overdoses, and James is hospitalized and finds out he has hepatitis).
The music is good, and Treadaway is a compelling actor and singer. There a few jarring scenes when the camera shoots from Bob's point of view and it almost feels like it's going to become a talking animal movie, but it stays focused on James' story. You end up rooting for him in the end and hoping that he'll stay clean.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how A Street Cat Named Bob depicts drug use. Are the consequences realistic? Why is that important?
How does drug use impact those beyond the user/addict?
How does the movie promote compassion and humility? Why are those important character strengths?
Do you have pets? What do they bring to your life? Is it easy or hard to believe that having a pet could change someone's life so profoundly?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 18, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : January 17, 2017
- Cast : Luke Treadaway , Ruta Gedmintas , Joanne Froggatt
- Director : Roger Spottiswood
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Cleopatra Films
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Animals ( Cats ) , Arts ( Concert , Music and Sing-Along ) , History ( Biopic ) , Book Characters , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Humility
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 7, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate