The Cat in the Hat (2026 film)

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The Cat in the Hat
The Cat in the Hat (teaser poster, 2026).png
Teaser poster
Directed by
Written by
  • Alessandro Carloni
  • Erica Rivinoja
Based on The Cat in the Hat
by Dr. Seuss
Produced by
Starring
Production
companies
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • November 6, 2026 (2026-11-06)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Cat in the Hat is an upcoming American animated fantasy comedy film based on the 1957 children's book of the same name by Dr. Seuss. Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and A Stern Talking To, the film is written and directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja (in Rivinoja's feature directorial debut). It is the second feature-length adaptation of the book following the 2003 live-action film. The film stars Bill Hader in the title role, alongside the voices of Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Paula Pell, Tiago Martinez, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang, and Tituss Burgess.

Contents

An animated adaptation of The Cat in the Hat was originally announced by Illumination Entertainment in 2012, following the commercial success of The Lorax , with Rob Lieber set to write the script. However, the film never came to fruition. Warner Bros. picked up the rights to the book in January 2018. Rivinoja and Art Hernandez were hired to direct in October 2020 before the latter was replaced by Carloni in June 2023. Most of the cast was announced in March 2024, with DNEG providing animation.

The Cat in the Hat is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on November 6, 2026 by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Premise

Meet the Cat in the Hat you don't know! In the wonderfully whimsical tradition of Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat comes to the big screen in his animated theatrical feature film debut, an all-new, epic adventure with an edge, where mischief, magic and mayhem reign supreme.

Doing what he does best, the Cat—voiced by Bill Hader—spreads joy to kids in his hilarious, signature and singularly irreverent way, transporting them and audiences on a fantastical journey through a world they’ve never seen before.

In the film, our hero takes on his toughest assignment yet for the I.I.I.I. (Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC): to cheer Gabby and Sebastian, a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town. Known for taking things too far, this could be this agent of chaos's last chance to prove himself...or lose his magical hat!

— Warner Bros. Pictures Animation [1]

Voice cast

In addition, Bowen Yang, Paula Pell, and Tituss Burgess have been cast in undisclosed roles. [2] [6]

Production

In 2012, following the financial success of The Lorax , an animated film adaptation of Dr. Seuss' eponymous book, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment announced plans to produce a CGI adaptation of The Cat in the Hat . Rob Lieber was set to write the script, with Chris Meledandri as producer, and Audrey Geisel as the executive producer, but the project never came to fruition. [7]

In January 2018, Warner Bros. Pictures picked up the rights to an animated Cat in the Hat film for Warner Animation Group, later renamed Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, as part of a creative partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises. [8] In October 2020, Erica Rivinoja and Art Hernandez were announced as directors. [9] However, in June 2023, Hernandez was replaced by Alessandro Carloni. [10]

In March 2024, it was reported that Bill Hader had been cast in the titular role. [11] Later that month, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation president Bill Damaschke formally confirmed Hader's role, with the addition of Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, and Paula Pell announced to be part of the voice cast; Hader would also serve as executive producer alongside Dr. Seuss Enterprises president and CEO Susan Brandt. Jared Stern and Daniela Mazzucato were announced to serve as producers, while Carloni and Rivinoja would both write and direct the film, with DNEG Animation handling animation. [2] In June 2025, it was reported that America Ferrera had joined the voice cast. [5] Ferrera was confirmed alongside Tiago Martinez, Tituss Burgess, and Giancarlo Esposito later that month. [6]

Marketing

A first look at the film was shown during Warner Bros' CinemaCon panel at the beginning of April 2025, along with presenters Bill Hader and Bill Damaschke. It featured details such as the Cat's field of work and his previous failed assignments, his co-workers who are similar in fashion (anthropomorphic animals wearing items that rhyme with their names), and the introduction of additional Thing characters besides Thing One and Thing Two. [12] An announcement video for the film featuring Bill Hader was uploaded on June 30, 2025 to various media platforms, revealing that the first trailer for the film would be released on July 1, with the debut of the new on-screen logo for Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, following its rebranding in 2023. [13] [14]

Release

The Cat in the Hat is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on November 6, 2026. [15] It was originally expected to release sometime in 2024 or 2025, and scheduled for March 6, 2026 before it was moved up a week to February 27, 2026 in March 2025. [9] [10] [11] [2] This shift was reportedly made to avoid competition with Pixar's Hoppers . [16] In August 2025, the release date was moved to its current date of November 6, 2026. [15]

Shared universe

In October 2020, it was announced that the film intends to launch a shared universe with two other animated films. The first, Thing One and Thing Two, is expected to be released in 2026. The other, an adaptation of another Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You'll Go! , is scheduled to be released on March 17, 2028. [17] [18] In April 2025, the name of the shared universe was revealed to be "The Seussiverse". [12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Cat in the Hat | Official Trailer". YouTube . July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 18, 2024). "Revamped Warner Bros Animation Sets 'Cat In The Hat' With Bill Hader, Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang & More; Eyes Spring 2026 Release". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Animation film category WIP Features: The Cat in the Hat". Annecy Festival . Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  4. ↑ @IGN (July 1, 2025). "Who's who in The Cat in the Hat trailer?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. 1 2 Koc, Demet (June 11, 2025). "'The Cat In The Hat' Adds America Ferrera, More Details Revealed At Annecy 2025" . Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  6. 1 2 @warnerbros (June 30, 2025). "Breaking News brought to you by Bill Hader. The new trailer for #TheCatInTheHat arrives tomorrow!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.[ non-primary source needed ]
  7. ↑ Minovitz, Ethan (March 18, 2012). "The Cat In The Hat comes back as animated feature". Big Cartoon News. Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  8. ↑ Kit, Borys (January 24, 2018). "New 'Cat in the Hat' Movie in the Works From Warner Bros". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Warner Animation Group Dr. Seuss Enterprises Expand World Dr. Seuss Feature Films" (Press release). Warner Bros. October 1, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  10. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 9, 2023). "New Warner Bros Pictures Animation Boss Bill Damaschke On Group Rebrand, New Mission, 'Flintstones' Pic & More". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Sneider, Jeff (March 14, 2024). "Dr. Seuss-ive Exclusive: Bill Hader to Lead WB's Animated 'Cat in the Hat' Movie Due in 2025". The InSneider. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  12. 1 2 @THR (April 1, 2025). "At #CinemaCon, Bill Hader shows off his animated #CatInTheHat movie, which WB Animation head Bill Damaschke says the film will launch a "Seussiverse." A work-in-progress trailer is shown. In the footage, a zebra breaks through the screen and a scene of chaos erupts, with other zoo animals and fireworks at a family home. The Cat in the Hat is wanted for the crime. The Cat in the Hat's home world is shown. He greets Giraffe with a Carafe and Pig in a Wig. He accepts a new job, and is threatened that he may lose his hat if he fails. He meets two kids, who spray him in the face with something that hurts his eyes. Thing 1 and Thing 3 are introduced and are adorable. There are also Things 2, 8 and many more bit.ly/3XF6Oqx" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ Lindain, Liz (June 30, 2025). "Iconic Dr Seuss Story 'The Cat In The Hat' Sets Date for Official Trailer". Parade. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  14. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 9, 2023). "Newly Appointed Warner Bros. Pictures Animation Boss Bill Damaschke On Group Rebrand, New Mission, 'Flintstones' Pic & More". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  15. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 21, 2025). "Warner Bros Pictures Animation's 'Cat In The Hat' Leaps To November 2026". Deadline. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  16. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 19, 2025). "Warner Bros. Sked Shakeup: 'Weapons' Armed For August, Paul Thomas Anderson Moves To Fall, 'The Bride' Walking Down Aisle In 2026 & So Much More…" . Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  17. ↑ Dick, Jeremy (October 1, 2020). "New The Cat in the Hat Animated Movie Will Launch Dr. Seuss Cinematic Universe". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  18. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 27, 2025). "Jon M. Chu & Jill Culton's Dr. Seuss' 'Oh, The Places You'll Go!' Feature Gets 2028 Release". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
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