WATCH: Bill Hader leads animated Cat in the Hat trailer

The iconic Cat in the Hat is returning to the big screen with a new animated adaptation from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, featuring Bill Hader as the mischievous Cat. The film, set for release on February 27, 2026, follows the beloved Dr. Seuss character in an exciting new adventure, bringing chaos and joy to a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town.

Directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, both of whom have experience with animated hits like Kung Fu Panda 3 and Trolls, the film's first trailer reveals the Cat's new role at the Institute of Imagination (I.I.I.I.). Alongside quirky animal companions such as Pig With a Wig and Yack With a Pack, the Cat travels the world to uplift sad children. His latest mission, however, is his toughest yet, challenging the irreverent Cat in ways never seen before.

In the preview shown at the Annecy Film Festival, Carloni described the Cat as the "quintessential 'carpe diem' guy," embodying the movie's theme of living in the present and having fun. The voice cast also includes Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, Xochitl Gomez, Tiago Martinez, Matt Berry, and Paula Pell.

This new Cat in the Hat film marks the character's first full-length animated feature, following the 2003 live-action adaptation starring Mike Myers. The character, created by Dr. Seuss in 1957, has also appeared in various other adaptations, including a 1971 animated special and educational series like The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!.

Fans can catch the trailer now, with the movie arriving in theaters and IMAX worldwide in early 2026.