The Cat in the Hat sets off on a grand adventure full of magic, and his whimsical mischief quickly sparks mayhem. The film comes from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, with Bill Hader voicing the Cat.
The film opens in US cinemas, including IMAX, this Friday. UK families have to wait until 4 December.
Bill Hader is a perfect Cat. The film just has too many other things to do.
Movie at a Glance
- US release: In cinemas, including IMAX, from Friday 6 November 2026 (Warner Bros. Pictures)
- UK release: In cinemas from Friday 4 December 2026
- Directors: Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja
- Voice cast: Bill Hader, Xochitl Gómez, Tiago Martinez and Quinta Brunson
- Runtime: 107 minutes
- Genre: Animated family adventure
Viewer Match
- Best for: Families with young children and Dr. Seuss fans.
- Maybe skip if: Loud, busy animation wears you out.
- Mood and pace: Bright, fast and noisy.
- Cinema or streaming? Cinema for families when it lands in December.
- Spoiler level: Spoiler-free.
A Perfect Cat
Hader is the highlight. He gives the Cat a mischievous energy and real comic timing, and the character design captures the spirit of the books.
We first saw him in action in The Cat in the Hat trailer.
Overcrowded
The trouble is everything around him. The story piles on characters, set pieces and sub-plots, and the simple charm of Dr. Seuss gets lost in the noise. Critics have been mixed, praising the lead but finding the film overcrowded.
Young children will still enjoy the colour and slapstick.
Worth the Wait?
For UK families, it is a pleasant December option rather than a must-see. For this week’s releases, see this week’s Weekly Cinema Pack, and for tonight, see What to Watch Tonight.
Spoiler-Free Verdict
The Cat in the Hat has a terrific Bill Hader and bright, lively animation, but its overstuffed story loses the simple magic of Dr. Seuss.
- Performances: 7.5/10
- Direction: 6/10
- Screenplay: 5.5/10
- Score: 6/10
- Cinematography: 6.5/10
- Entertainment Value: 6/10
- Overall score: 6/10
Star rating: 3/5
Verdict badge: Best watched in the Cinema
One-line verdict: A great Cat in a crowded hat.
Watch the Official Trailer
Watch the main trailer from Warner Bros.
Which Dr. Seuss story should be next on the big screen? Tell us.