Warner Bros.’s ‘The Cat In The Hat’ Animated Feature Will Hit Theaters On March 6, 2026
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (WBPA) has shared details regarding its upcoming animated feature adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, scheduled to hit theaters on March 6, 2026.
The film is being written and directed by Alessandro Carloni (director, Kung Fu Panda 3) and Erica Rivinoja (writer, Trolls, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2). DNEG Animation is the project’s animation studio partner, and Daniela Mazzucato and Jared Stern are producing for Warner Bros.
WBPA hasn’t released a full synopsis yet, but the company did explain in a release:
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, doing what he does best—spreading joy to “happyless” kids. In the film, The Cat takes on his toughest assignment yet… to cheer a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town.
The Cat in the Hat has been adapted several times through the years, including a very good 1971 animated musical tv special and a not-as-good 2003 live-action film that still gives people nightmares two decades after its release. So unloved was that adaptation that Seuss’ widow, Audrey Geisel, forbade future live-action adaptations of any of her husband’s work.
Six years ago, Warner Bros. first announced it was working with Dr. Seuss Enterprises on a lineup of animated adaptations. Today’s announcement seems to confirm those plans are still alive and well. According to WBPA and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, The Cat in the Hat will be the first animated feature from a lineup of projects they are co-developing together.
The 2026 The Cat in the Hat voice cast will feature Bill Hader as The Cat, joined by Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, and Paula Pell.
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation president Bill Damaschke said of the project:
We are overjoyed to partner with our friends at Dr. Seuss to take audiences of all ages on an adventure into the beloved world of The Cat in the Hat. With this incredible voice cast led by Bill Hader as the fun-loving, agent of chaos himself and our filmmakers Alessandro and Erica at the helm, we look forward to sharing this Seussian cinematic spectacle with audiences everywhere in 2026.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises president and CEO Susan Brandt added:
We are excited to see such an exceptional group of talent join the effort to bring this iconic property to the screen as an animated feature. It’s been an amazing experience collaborating with the team from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation so far, as they truly understand what it takes to capture the magic of The Cat in the Hat and share his brand of imagination and joy with a new generation of Dr. Seuss fans.
