Dogs may be considered man’s best friend, but Captain Marvel and Pet Sematary make a case for the power of memorable movie cats.

When asked to name a few memorable movie cats, who comes into your mind first?

You might think of Crookshanks from Harry Potter or Buttercup from The Hunger Games. Perhaps you prefer quieter kitties like Jonesy from Alien, Ulysses from Inside Llewyn Davis, or Mr. Bigglesworth from Austin Powers. Maybe animated cats are more your speed, like those seen in The Aristocats, Puss in Boots, or Kiki’s Delivery Service. Talking cats like Thackery Binx from Hocus Pocus and Sassy from Homeward Bound will no doubt come to mind for some.

One of my personal favorites is the cat from Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye. Energetic, skilled, and fully of personality, this cat — who remains unnamed — begins the movie by waking up his owner because he’s hungry. This cat, however, won’t eat just anything; this scene evolves into an extended bit where the cat refuses to eat anything but his favorite food, forcing his owner to make a special trip to the grocery store in the middle of the night.

In just a few minutes, The Long Goodbye gives its talented cat performer a personality of its own and realistically portrays the relationship between the cat and its owner. Cats, ever and always a tricky companion, are both mysterious and lovable, coy and loyal — making them a valuable sidekick, but not always an easy one.

Two recent films include kitty companions that will undoubtedly enter the canon of memorable movie cats. These movies don’t just remind us how cool cats are, but also shows how to use them as integral pieces of the plot. Both Pet Sematary and Captain Marvel create memorable movie cats by treating them as more than just pets, but as well-rounded characters whose existence both informs and effects the plot.

Goose, an energetic orange tabby cat that tags along with Carol Danvers and Nick Fury, won the hearts of audiences everywhere with his demure attitude and unexpected superpowers. Goose begins Captain Marvel as just a part of the gang, considered nothing more than a harmless feline friend tagging along on the adventure. However, Captain Marvel is a film about the hero inside us all and that message extends to Goose himself.

Rather than allow Goose to remain a static character, Captain Marvel slowly builds on Goose’s characterization, giving him a personality all his own. We watch as Goose takes a special liking to Nick Fury and the two become a dynamic duo of sorts. When Fury finds himself in danger later in movie without a way to protect himself, Goose reveals his true identity (a Flerken, of all things) and saves the day.

Instead of chalking Goose up to just a pet, Captain Marvel turns him into an iconic character in the MCU by subverting expectations and turning him into a fiercely strong and unexpectedly intimidating hero with powers we don’t entirely understand. In return, Goose’s powers help inform his personality. Of course Goose doesn’t listen to anyone, he’s a fully formed soul with his own thoughts and motivations. Goose is more than a tertiary character, but a key element of the story that defines the future of the MCU, making him one of Hollywood’s most memorable movie cats.

Pet Sematary may not be a part of the largest comic book cinematic universe ever, but it does share one key similarity with Captain Marvel: a bad ass cat. Church, short for Churchill, short for Winston Churchill, is the Creed family’s friendly cat. Church begins the film just like any other cat — loveable yet elusive. Things take an unfortunate turn when Church turns up dead on the side of the road, struck by a passing truck.

Church’s death is hugely influential to the plot of the film. Louis and Rachel fear the consequences of breaking the news about Church’s death to their nine-year-old daughter Ellie, so when their neighbor Jud finds a way to bring Church back from the dead, they are shocked but grateful to avoid breaking the news to their kid. The consequences of this decision are disastrous to say the least.

When Church returns from the dead, he is no longer the same cat he was before. His easygoing attitude is replaced by chaotic and violent behavior that puts both Ellie and her younger brother Gage in danger. Louis tries to get rid of Church by dumping him on the side of the road, but Church finds his way home with a vengeance.

Church’s transformation from sweet family pet to a member of the walking dead would be enough to make him one of the most memorable movie cats of all time, but Pet Sematary takes it one step further. Church’s death and reanimation serves as a warning for the Creed family, demanding they confront their issues with death and embrace grief rather than avoid it. Church’s death functions as a microcosm for the message of the story as a whole, turning him into a pivotal character for the story.

While it seems unlikely that many people will think to compare Pet Sematary and Captain Marvel, it’s fascinating that two very different movies share such a similar approach to creating memorable movie cats. Both films treat their cats with the same degree of respect that they afford to their human characters. These cats are not just pets, but unique characters that impact the worlds they are a part of. That in and of itself makes Church and Goose two very memorable movie cats.