Famous Felines: The Best Black Cats of Film and TV, Ranked

It’s a rule we learn over and over again in magical TV and film: If you want to practice magic, eventually, you’re probably going to need a special pet to help out—and more than likely, it’ll be a black cat.

According to European folklore, witches keep black cats as “familiars”—companion animals from which they draw power. European witch trials during the 15th to 17th centuries saw the masses searching suspected witches’ bodies for the teats they supposedly used to suckle their animal counterparts. In Greek mythology, Hecate—the goddess of witchcraft and magic—kept a black cat as her familiar.

As bad as black cats’ reputations might be in certain areas, they might hold up better depending where you look. According to Welsh folklore, midnight-colored felines can bring good luck and even help predict the weather. And in TV and film, they’ve become some of our favorite furry friends. But which one was the best? Here, for your perusal, is a list of our favorites, ranked worst to best.

Read more at The Daily Beast.