WB Pushes Animated ‘The Cat in the Hat’ Pic to Nov. 2026

Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that it has whiskered away the CG-animated feature The Cat in the Hat to a later release date. The first title from the relaunched Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, previously dated for release on February 27, will now pounce into theaters on November 6, 2026.

WBP points out that the November date offers a long runway for extended playability of this all-audiences movie, and reinforces the studio’s belief in the film being an event for generations of moviegoers. Opening later in the year gives the studio the advantage of a historically strong global day and date release at a time when kids and families are readily available, following in the footsteps of November hits such as Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, Trolls, Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch, Home Alone and Harry Potter.

Warner Bros.’ consumer products arm will also be able to capitalize on the holiday timeframe to launch a robust merchandising and partnership program for the Dr. Seuss adaptation.

The Cat in the Hat is directed and written by Alessandro Carloni (Kung Fu Panda 3) and Erica Rivinoja (showrunner, Clone High; writer, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs); produced by Daniela Mazzucato and Jared Stern; and executive produced by Susan Brandt and voice star Bill Hader. The movie is a production of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, with animation by DNEG Animation.

Bill Hader stars alongside Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson and Paula Pell. The film also features the voices of Tiago Martinez, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang and Tituss Burgess.

Logline: Meet the Cat in the Hat you don’t know! In the wonderfully whimsical tradition of Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat, voiced by Bill Hader, comes to the big screen in his animated theatrical feature film debut, an all-new, epic adventure where mischief, magic and mayhem reign supreme.

The official trailer and first-look images were unveiled earlier this summer.