Fritz the Cat (film)

Fritz the Cat is a 1972 American adult animated comedy film directed by Ralph Bakshi. It is based on the comic strip of the same name by Robert Crumb. The film follows Fritz, an anthropomorphic cat living in a racially charged, corrupt, and violent New York City during the late 1960s.

The film is notable for being the first animated feature to receive an X rating from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). It is characterized by its satirical and often shocking depiction of sex, drugs, and counterculture, reflecting the social and political turmoil of the era.

Fritz the Cat proved to be a controversial yet commercially successful film. Robert Crumb disavowed the film, feeling that Bakshi's adaptation misinterpreted and vulgarized his work. Despite Crumb's criticism, the film garnered a significant cult following and is considered a landmark in adult animation, paving the way for future animated films aimed at mature audiences. The film's success led to a sequel, The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (1974), which Bakshi was not involved with.