Warner Bros.’ animated event pic The Cat in the Hat has landed a new release date in theaters, relocating from Feb, 27, 2026 to Nov. 6 of that year.
The studio says the new date gives the film — the first title from the newly relaunched Warner Bros. Pictures Animation division — a long runway to play throughout the year-end holidays when families and kids are more readily available.
Based on the beloved Dr. Seuss tale, Bill Hader voices The Cat. The A-list voice cast also includes Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Paula Pell, Tiago Martinez, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang and Tituss Burgess.
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Dr. Seuss Enterprises are partnering on the feature, which centers on the fanciful feline as he tries to cheer up a pair of siblings struggling to adapt to their new town in an all new, epic adventure where mischief, magic and mayhem reign supreme, according to the film’s longline. The pic marks Hader’s animated feature debut.
Cat in the Hat is being written and directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, with Daniela Mazzucato and Jared Stern producing. Susan Brandt, president-CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and Hader will executive produce. DNEG Animation will be the animation studio partner.
Warners has released some of its biggest films in November, including the Harry Potter franchise. The holiday time frame is also advantageous in terms of merchandising and partnership programs.
Dr. Seuss’ book The Cat in the Hat was published in 1957 on its way to becoming a perennial classic for generations of kids. This will mark the character’s animated big-screen debut; Mike Myers starred in a live-action adaptation in 2003.