Happy World Rat Day: Celebrating Cinema’s Most Iconic Rodents
By Euronews Culture:

From alleyways to attics, these long-tailed rodents have long been vilified. Branded as vermin, accused of spreading plague, and used in countless idioms to evoke betrayal, squalor, and disease (“rat out,” “smell a rat,” “rat race”) – rats have been the symbolic scapegoats of the animal kingdom for centuries.

But today is World Rat Day, and here at Euronews Culture, we’re squeaking up in their defence.

Because while they may often be misunderstood, vilified, or outright feared, rats have carved out a curious niche on the big screen – sometimes villainous, sometimes heroic, but always memorable. From kitchen geniuses to criminal masterminds, these cinematic rodents prove that rats can be far more than symbols of decay. In fact, when given the spotlight, they steal the show.

Here’s our tribute to cinema’s most legendary rats – a top five ranking of rodents who deserve more than just a piece of cheese.

1. Remy – Ratatouille (2007)

It was never going to be anyone else at the top, was it?

Remy, the culinary savant of Pixar’s Ratatouille, is more than just a rodent with refined taste – he’s a symbol of creativity, ambition, and heart. The idea of a rat cooking haute cuisine in a Parisian kitchen might sound absurd, but thanks to the genius of director Brad Bird and the Pixar team, Remy became a worldwide icon.

This little chef brought flavour to animation – literally and figuratively. With beautifully choreographed food sequences, subtle themes about criticism, artistry, and inclusivity, Ratatouille remains one of Pixar’s most profound works. It’s a love letter to passion, perseverance, and the idea that greatness can come from the most unexpected of places.

Remy didn’t just cook – he rewrote the narrative on rats. And for that, he wears the crown (or chef’s hat).

2. Rat – Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

He may be named simply “Rat,” but Willem Dafoe’s slinky, cider-loving character in Wes Anderson’s stop-motion gem Fantastic Mr. Fox leaves an impression as strong as his love for apple spirits.

As a guardian of the cider cellar, Rat is part villain, part tragic antihero. Sure, he’s got red eyes and a tail that whips with menace – and yes, he does kidnap Mr. Fox’s son – but behind the scowl lies a lonely soul with a taste for solitude and sweet booze.

He’s not just a rat. He’s a mood.

And while he may meet an unfortunate (and slightly electric) end, Rat gives us a textured character that challenges the idea of rodents as one-dimensional baddies. Who among us hasn’t needed a drink and a little peace?

3. Professor Ratigan – The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Disney’s most underrated villain? Absolutely.

Voiced with campy grandeur by Vincent Price, Professor Ratigan is the Moriarty to Basil’s Holmes in this Victorian mouse-themed mystery. He’s cunning, theatrical, and hell-bent on taking over Mousedom via a robot Queen. You can’t say he lacked ambition.

Ratigan walks the tightrope between suave and unhinged, and in a rare moment for ‘80s Disney, he’s given room to be terrifying, hilarious, and oddly charismatic. He also gets one of the best villain songs ever – “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind” – and meets his dramatic end atop Big Ben, echoing cinematic climaxes of noir classics and comic book epics alike.

You may not want to be friends with Ratigan… but you can’t deny he owns the screen.

4. Splinter – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990–2023)

If most rats on film are shady dealers or misunderstood outcasts, Master Splinter is a beacon of wisdom and calm. The adoptive father and martial arts mentor to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been a mainstay across multiple adaptations – live-action, animated, and everything in between.

Whether he’s solemnly quoting ancient proverbs or snacking on popsicles in the sewer, Splinter represents discipline, honour, and deep paternal love. In the 2023 reboot Mutant Mayhem, Jackie Chan brought new warmth and depth to the character, blending comedy with heart in a way that reaffirmed Splinter’s place as the emotional core of the TMNT universe.

Proof that not all rats scurry in the shadows – some guide the way.

5. Nick & Fetcher – Chicken Run (2000, 2023)

The stars of Chicken Run might be, well, chickens – but the rats nearly steal the show.

Nick and Fetcher, the fast-talking, deal-cutting duo from Aardman’s poultry prison break, bring comic relief and a surprising dose of philosophy to the claymation classic. Whether debating the age-old chicken-or-egg dilemma or flogging contraband for eggs, these two rats provide feather-light humour in a film with surprisingly dark undertones.

They returned in 2023’s Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, voiced by Romesh Ranganathan and Daniel Mays, and once again reminded audiences that even side characters – especially those with tails – can become fan favourites.

Honourable Mentions

• The cameo rat in The Departed – unsubtle, sure, but unforgettable.
• The terrified Venetian rats in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – we’d flee too if someone lit our basement on fire.
• The many, many rats in Nosferatu (2024) – Willem Dafoe again, naturally.

So today, on World Rat Day, let’s tip our hats – or tiny chef toques – to cinema’s unsung heroes. Rats may have been historically maligned, but on the silver screen, they’ve squeaked their way into greatness.

From kitchens to crime lairs, sewers to cider cellars, these cinematic rats have taught us that appearances deceive – and that even the smallest creatures can have the biggest impact.

Happy World Rat Day!