Played by Antonio Banderas in almost all of his theatrical film appearances, Puss in Boots has become one of DreamWorks’ most successful creations. Debuting in Shrek 2 as a surprisingly important supporting character, the swashbuckling cat quickly proved compelling enough to earn his own pair of spin-off films – as well as the pretty fun spin-off show The Adventures of Puss in Boots on Netflix. Puss is a roguish anti-hero with a bad habit of doing the right thing, making him a perfect character for the twisted fairy tale world of the Shrek films.
While his first appearance came in 2004’s sequel to Shrek, the best way to dive into the character and follow his journey from a scrappy hero to a more fully realized character is to go all the way back to his origins. Use our guide to find out where to watch all the Puss in Boots movies streaming online in chronological order.
Puss In Boots (2011)
The first spin-off starring Puss in Boots, 2011's Puss in Boots is actually a prequel to the Shrek film series. The film reveals Puss’ origins, introduces his primary love interest in Kitty Softpaws, and draws a direct distinction between what the roguish Puss is capable of in contrast to his former friend Humpty Dumpty. An exciting riff on the heist film Puss in Boots is a stronger stand-alone film than many of his previous appearances and serves as an ideal starting place for the character. While Shrek 2 does a great job of establishing who Puss in Boots is, the character’s solo film is a great showcase for what makes the character so compelling and why he's become the most enduring secondary character within the Shrek franchise.
Shrek 2 (2004)
Shrek 2 is the rare sequel that actually surpasses the original, a clever expansion of the themes from the first film that nevertheless feels unique and compelling on its own merits. The breakout star of the film was Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots, a mercenary hired to kill Shrek who ends up befriending the ogre after Shrek spares his life. From the on-set, Puss is a perfect comic creation, all of the swagger Banderas brought to Zorro filtered through an adorable cat. It’s a great introduction to the character, setting the stage for his break-out as a solo character. Puss in Boots is one of the best elements of an already pretty strong sequel, making it a crucial watch for any attempt to dive into the character.
Shrek the Third (2007)
Picking up in the land of Far, Far Away after Shrek and Fiona are expected to take the throne from the latter's father after he passes, Shrek the Third is perhaps the slightest film in the franchise. This also applies to Puss, who is largely relegated to the sidelines while the film focuses more heavily on Shrek’s attempt to recruit Fiona’s cousin Arthur to become king. Puss does get a fun body-swapping subplot with Donkey, which at least provides Banderas and Eddie Murphy a chance to riff on one another and poke fun at the other character. Probably the least necessary Puss in Boots story, but fun in its own way, Shrek the Third is a goofy enough time that gives Puss a funny subplot.
Shrek Forever After (2010)
Shrek Forever After is (at least until the release of the upcoming Shrek 5) the most recent entry in the mainline series. Largely taking place in an alternate reality where Shrek never existed, Puss is relegated to a purely comedic character where the retired adventurer has become an obese pet for a more warrior-style Fiona. Most of the character's interactions with the rest of the cast are in this style and lean into the comedy of seeing the adventurer reduced to a house pet. Despite this, Banderas does still get some of the film’s sweeter emotional beats as he convinces Shrek to still try to win Fiona’s heart. While the movie is a sweet ode to Shrek's place in his world, it's largely forgettable but entertaining for Puss.
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2023)
The second leading role for Puss in Boots and arguably the highlight of the entire Shrek film franchise, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a colorful and exciting film that nevertheless embraces an introspective approach that the other Puss in Boots appearances lacked. Discovering that he’s on his last life and is stalked by a vicious avatar of death, Puss sets out on a quest to restore his nine lives. The film brings back Kitty Softpaws, giving it a greater sense of connective tissue to Puss’ origin movie from over a decade before. Banderas plays Puss with a dented charm that underscores the more somber tone of the film. One of most visually exciting films to ever be produced by DreamWorks Animation, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the culmination of the character’s potential in
Where To Watch The Puss In Boots Movies Streaming Online
The Puss in Boots movies can be largely found on Peacock, which is the streaming home for many of DreamWorks’ animated films. The movies can also be rented or purchased from websites like Fandango, giving families and animation fans multiple options when trying to explore the adventures of Puss in Boots.
