Draft:The Cat in the Hat (2026 film)

The Cat in the Hat
The Cat in the Hat
Directed by	Erica Rivinoja; Alessandro Carloni;
Screenplay by	Erica Rivinoja; Alessandro Carloni;
Based on	The Cat in the Hat; by Dr. Seuss
Produced by	Jared Stern; Daniela Mazzucato;
Starring	Bill Hader; Quinta Brunson; Bowen Yang; Xochitl Gomez; Matt Berry; Paula Pell;
Production; companies	Warner Bros. Pictures Animation; Dr. Seuss Enterprises; A Stern Talking To;
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date	March 6, 2026;
Country	United States
Language	English

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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 and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. Written and directed by Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni (in the former'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 Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, and Paula Pell.

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. The cast was announced in March 2024, with DNEG Animation providing animation.

The Cat in the Hat is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on March 6, 2026.

Voice cast

Bill Hader as the Cat in the Hat, a 6 ft. tall, anthropomorphic and large humanoid wise-cracking cat who wears an oversized red bow-tie and a magical red-and-white striped top-hat that reveals many humorous gadgets.^[1]
Quinta Brunson^[1]
Bowen Yang^[1]
Xochitl Gomez^[1]
Matt Berry^[1]
Paula Pell^[1]

Production

Development

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.^[2]

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.^[3] In October 2020, Erica Rivinoja and Art Hernandez were announced as directors.^[4] However, in June 2023, Hernandez was replaced by Alessandro Carloni.^[5]

In March 2024, it was reported that Bill Hader had been cast in the titular role.^[6] 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 in the cast; Hader will 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, with DNEG Animation handling animation.^[1]

Release

The Cat in the Hat is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on March 6, 2026.^[1] It was originally expected to release sometime in 2025.^[5]^[6]

Planned 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 expected to be released in 2027.^[7]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h 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.
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ "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.
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ 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.

External links

The Cat in the Hat at IMDb

[Cast-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h 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.

[2] 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.

[3] 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.

[4] "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.

[:0-5] 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.

[Hader-6] 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.

[7] 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.

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v t e Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat
Books	The Cat in the Hat The Cat in the Hat Comes Back The Cat's Quizzer I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! Daisy-Head Mayzie
Live-action film	The Cat in the Hat (2003)
Television shows	The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (1996-1998) The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–2018) episodes
Television specials	The Cat in the Hat (1971) Dr. Seuss on the Loose (1973) The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (1982) In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994)
Stage	Seussical (2000 musical) The Cat in the Hat (2009 play)
Video game	The Cat in the Hat (2003)
Related	Dr. Seuss Memorial I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! and Other Stories A Political Fable Dr. Seuss Enters., L.P. v. Penguin Books USA, Inc.