Although the 2003 live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat starring Mike Myers continues to exist between nostalgia and nightmare fuel, we’re long overdue for an animated movie starring the iconic cat. Now, after long delays, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s new spin that lets Bill Hader voice the titular, mischievous fun-bringer arrives. This adaptation, even without sharper storytelling, lets a wide generation of moviegoers enjoy a refreshing and lively adventure where its Seuss-inspirations run wild.
The Cat in the Hat (2026) takes some modern liberties with its source material that actually offer a fresh take on Seuss’ worlds and characters. It’s pretty fun to see the Cat in the Hat (Hader) attempt to thrive in this corporate-fantasy setting where his job is to make kids happy alongside other stripe-wearing employees, like a Pig in a Wig. There are a lot of great character designs that match the whimsical illustrations of Seuss’ books, and there’s even a scene that pays homage to the series’ original artwork and stories that fans will love. It’s a film that’s cool to look at even with a so-so animation style, as it pops with big colors and a palette that’s a pure feast for the eyes.
There’s a strong variety of characters, ranging from the innocent-looking, slap-happy Things to a monstrous Something that hunts The Cat throughout. The settings The Cat and his clients traverse genuinely burst with imagination on the big screen and deliver a dreamlike feel. However, when the Cat enters the human world, things are more mundane on an animation front. The human designs could be ripped from almost any modern 3D animated movie and stick out too much compared to everyone else on-screen.
The vibrant fun of the visuals is matched by solid humor from the writing and great vocal performances, especially Hader. The actor is the perfect voice for The Cat because he brings plenty of fun impressions that are a joy to watch. Hader has you smiling from start to finish when the film showcases an infectious sense of fun only The Cat can deliver—whether he’s going overboard singing Happy Birthday to someone in the office or casually singing his own theme song under his breath. The snarky lines that are snuck into The Cat’s “teaching moments” bring big laughs and work well with Hader’s comedic style. Quinta Brunson and Giancarlo Esposito create some funny interactions and scenes with Hader as his HR bestie Sherrie and villainous boss Mr. Hoogeboom, respectively. It also helps that the writing is solid, with jokes and fun callbacks. There’s even a sequence featuring Seuss-inspired rhymes that are clever and neatly fit into the moment.
The only nagging flaw with The Cat in the Hat is its story. The throughline of The Cat desperately helping kids Gabby (Xochitl Gomez) and Sebastian (Tiago Martinez) through a tough time while doing everything in his power not to get fired is funny and simple enough to work. It’s pretty on par with what the books are about and offers a modern conflict centered around The Cat’s brand of fun being too messy. There’s also some Inside Out inspiration, with the trio going through Gabby and Sebastian’s family memories inside cardboard-encased universes that add personal arcs to the narrative. Add in a big monster like the Something tailing them throughout and some scenes with the Things doing their thing, and there’s more than enough for a good, maybe even great adventure with the Cat in the Hat. Unfortunately, there’s an unnecessary amount of “more” that overstuffs the narrative with pointless side characters and forces the plot to take unwanted shortcuts.
There are interesting themes tied to living in the moment and accepting the messiness of having fun as a child, but they’re delivered so ham-fisted that the impact barely lasts. For instance, there’s a scene where Gabby scolds The Cat for his style of zany fun that could offer some interesting growth for The Cat. Yet, literally two scenes later, the film reverses course so suddenly that the previous moment feels like nothing for no reason. It’s a clear instance where the film could do something more, but just doesn’t – largely because it’s overcrowded with comedic side characters and villains. Oddly enough, the film has three or four villains that rotate the spotlight, ranging from Gabby and Sebastian’s persistent landlord (Paula Pell) to Mr. Hoogeboom trying to get The Cat and his friends fired. Not to mention, there are a couple of characters there for a few jokes that sometimes miss badly. At times, the focus is in the wrong place, and that’s why the film’s message struggles to leave its mark, especially over a near two-hour runtime.
Even with some hiccups in the narrative that clog up the fun, The Cat in the Hat is a welcome return for the iconic Dr. Seuss characters that fans of all ages will enjoy. It’s an incredibly colorful misadventure that’s matched by Hader’s irresistible energy and strong visuals that give the Cat a fun-filled romp worthy of the big screen.
