The Cat in the Hat is returning to the big screen in 2026 for the first time in 23 years. The anthropomorphic cat in a top hat and bowtie with a penchant for tricks and mischief is one of Dr. Seuss’ most famous characters. However, he’s also one of the trickiest to adapt to the screen.
The last movie adaptation, The Cat in the Hat (2003), was received so poorly that Dr. Seuss’ widow, Audrey Geisel, banned further live-action adaptations of the character. Hence, hopes and fears are high for the upcoming animated adaptation of The Cat in the Hat (2026). Viewers interested in catching up with The Cat in the Hat’s film and TV history can use our guide to find out how to watch his movies and shows on platforms like Peacock before the new film.
The Cat in the Hat (1971)
The Cat in the Hat (1971) is an animated TV special that follows the Cat in the Hat (Allan Sherman) as he drops in on siblings Sally (Pamelyn Ferdin) and Conrad (Tony Frazier), who are left home alone, and helps them have some fun. It’s a charming musical special that offers a vibrant adaptation of the source material. Spoken in Dr. Seuss’ signature rhymes and peppered with amusing musical numbers, The Cat in the Hat is an excellent, nostalgic cartoon.
Viewers today will still find the songs catchy and the Cat’s eccentricity amusing and charming. There are endless quotable lines and many vibrant, colorful scenes, making The Cat in the Hat a fairly accurate adaptation. Fans of early Dr. Seuss cartoon adaptations like How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) and The Lorax (1972) will especially enjoy this adaptation.
Dr. Seuss on the Loose (1973)
Dr. Seuss on the Loose is another animated TV special in which the Cat in the Hat (Sherman) hosts three Dr. Seuss stories: The Sneetches, The Zax, and Green Eggs and Ham. The Cat is hilarious as the host while the animated anthology delivers on three excellent Dr. Seuss stories. Its animation and songs are comparable to The Cat in the Hat (1971), but it offers more in the way of storytelling, capturing both humor and charming life lessons in each story.
The trio of tales works well together, putting two of Dr. Seuss’ more obscure stories with the wildly popular Green Eggs and Ham. They all share some thematic similarities and work well as a showcase of Dr. Seuss’ work. If you love animated musical anthologies of the ‘70s, like The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), you’ll love Dr. Seuss on the Loose.
The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (1982)
The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat is an animated TV special in which The Grinch (Bob Holt) and The Cat in the Hat (Mason Adams) cross paths with disastrous results. Between the crossover of two of Dr. Seuss’ most iconic creations and the fantastic songs by Sesame Street (1969) composer Joe Raposo, The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat is one of the best Cat in the Hat adaptations to date. It also boasts an original story that expands upon Dr. Seuss’ work in a refreshing, creative way.
The Cat in the Hat and The Grinch are an irresistible duo, thanks to their opposing personalities. Ultimately, The Grinch Grinches the Cat in Hat is an excellent, enjoyable, and cute animated special that is bound to stir nostalgia and comfort for modern viewers.
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (1996-1998)
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss is a puppet series that prominently features the Cat in the Hat (Bruce Lanoil and Martin P. Robinson). Season 1 takes on an anthology format similar to Dr. Seuss on the Loose, with the Cat hosting various Dr. Seuss stories, while Season 2 follows the Cat’s adventure in a fatherly role to his Little Cats. Produced by the Jim Henson Company, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss is just as magical as one would anticipate a Henson and Seuss crossover to be.
The puppeteering is excellent, and the show is lighthearted, sweet, and filled with life lessons, making it perfect for families. It’s a wonderful mix of puppetry and animation with catchy tunes and memorable rhymes. Viewers who enjoyed Dr. Seuss on the Loose but are seeking something with a more The Muppets (2011) vibe will love The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss.
The Cat in the Hat (2003)
The Cat in the Hat (2003) follows the eponymous Cat (Mike Myers), who shows up to entertain the bored Sally (Dakota Fanning) and Conrad Walden (Spencer Breslin) while their parents run errands. There’s also an original subplot where the Walden family’s scheming, sleazy neighbor, Larry (Alec Baldwin), tries to marry Conrad and Sally’s mother to steal her wealth. Hence, the story takes on a bit of maturity, resulting in more slapstick and potty humor than the lighthearted mischief of the original story.
Despite poor reviews, including from Dr. Seuss’ family and estate, The Cat in the Hat isn’t a bad movie. So long as one isn’t expecting a faithful adaptation, they can enjoy the absurdity and oddball humor in this more original adaptation. Fans of the other highly divisive Dr. Seuss adaptation, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), will want to give The Cat in the Hat a try.
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010-2018)
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! Is an animated musical kids’ show that centers on the many adventures of the Cat (Martin Short) and his neighbors, Sally (Alexa Torrington and Halle Nunes) and Nick (Jacob Ewaniuk and Deandray Hamilton). It’s an excellent rendition of Dr. Seuss’ work, with the animation beautifully capturing his illustrations, making it feel like flipping through one of his books. Meanwhile, Short is the perfect choice to voice the whimsical, rhyming Cat.
In addition to offering a charming, nostalgic adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ work, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! is also educational, incorporating a variety of fun scientific lessons in its episodes. If your kids love Dr. Seuss and are interested in educational shows like Sid the Science Kid (2008) that make learning fun, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! is the show for them.
The Cat in the Hat (2026)
The Cat in the Hat is an upcoming animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ book of the same name. Aside from The Cat in the Hat (2003), it is the only feature-length adaptation of the work. In the film, The Cat (Bill Hader) works for the Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC, and takes on an assignment to help a young sibling pair adjust to their new town.
If successful, Warner Bros. intends to use it as the starting point for a shared cinematic universe of Dr. Seuss adaptations. Given the success of The Lorax (2012) and the promise of Hader’s voice acting and modern, innovative animation, The Cat in the Hat may prove a worthy adaptation.
