Meet the Cat You Don’t Know (Yet)
Dr. Seuss’s most iconic mischief-maker is finally making his full-length animated debut on the big screen—and it’s not the Cat in the Hat you remember. Arriving in theaters and IMAX® on February 27, 2026, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s The Cat in the Hat promises a bold, hilarious, and visually inventive adventure that redefines the beloved feline for a new generation.
Voiced by Bill Hader, the Cat is as mischievous as ever—but this time, his antics are charged with a deeper mission. As an agent of the I.I.I.I. (Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC), the Cat must help two siblings, Gabby and Sebastian, find joy again after a difficult move to a new town. If he fails? He may lose the one thing that makes him, well, him—his magical, marvelous hat.
Watch the Official Trailer
Take your first wild ride through this colorful Seussian world right here:
A Whimsical World with Visual Edge
From the trailer alone, it’s clear that The Cat in the Hat is not just another animated family film—it’s a visual feast. The animation style borrows heavily from modern stylized hits like The Bad Guys (2022) and TMNT: Mutant Mayhem (2023), blending painterly textures with kinetic camera work and expressive character design. It’s a bold aesthetic shift that sets the stage for a story bursting with imagination, energy, and heart.
Directors Alessandro Carloni (Kung Fu Panda 3) and Erica Rivinoja (Trolls, South Park) bring a mix of action-comedy expertise and irreverent heart to the story, honoring Seuss’s original spirit while taking the material into fresh territory.
An All-Star Cast of Chaos and Charm
Joining Hader’s Cat is a star-studded voice cast that includes:
- Xochitl Gomez
- Matt Berry
- Quinta Brunson
- Paula Pell
- Tiago Martinez
- Giancarlo Esposito
- America Ferrera
- Bowen Yang
- Tituss Burgess
That lineup alone is enough to raise eyebrows—and expectations.
Mark Your Calendar
With its inventive animation, playful heart, and a hero who blurs the line between chaos and creativity, The Cat in the Hat is shaping up to be a must-see for longtime Seuss fans and new audiences alike. Whether you grew up with the books or just need a spark of joy in the theater, this film promises a whimsical ride that goes way beyond rainy-day rhymes.
Coming to theaters and IMAX February 27, 2026 (U.S.)
International rollout begins February 25
Final Thought:
This Cat has claws, charisma, and a lot to prove. And judging from that trailer? I’m already seated.