Warner Bros. Animation’s new animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat,” featuring Bill Hader as the voice of the iconic character, has sparked mixed reactions from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni, the film marks the first time this beloved story has been made into an animated feature. The narrative follows the Cat as he embarks on a mission for the Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration to help siblings Gabby (voiced by Xochitl Gomez) and Sebastian (Tiago Martinez) cope with moving to a new town, with the Cat’s magical hat on the line if he fails.

The film debuted in preview screenings on Thursday ahead of its nationwide theatrical release on Friday. Alongside Bill Hader, the voice cast includes Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Tituss Burgess, Bowen Yang, and Paula Pell. Currently, early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes show an even split with seven critics rating the film “rotten” while six have given it a “fresh” score, meaning the overall Tomatometer rating is not yet finalized.

Critics who are less favorable towards the new adaptation have compared it unfavorably to the original 2003 live-action version starring Mike Myers, which holds an 11% critics’ rating and a 59% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some reviewers felt the film lacked understanding of the source material’s appeal or was overly forced in its attempts at humor, while others noted it was a slight improvement yet still fell short of expectations. Remarks included observations that the film tried too hard to make the Cat an endearing mascot at the expense of deeper engagement.

On the positive side, several reviewers found “The Cat in the Hat” entertaining and praised its chaotic but humorous spirit, appealing family-friendly tone, and musical elements. Critics like Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood Daily highlighted it as a treat for the family, mentioning standout songs like the title track and Hilary Duff’s “CATastrophe.” Others appreciated the film’s energy and creative direction, describing it as a fresh, whimsical take that captures the mischief and fun of Dr. Seuss’ classic. With its official release imminent, further reviews will soon shape the film’s full critical reception.