$20 million projected opening: Warner Bros’ long-delayed Cat in the Hat movie sputters at box office debut
A delayed release reaches theaters
The new animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s children’s book stars Bill Hader as the Cat in the Hat. Its voice cast also includes Quinta Brunson, Matt Berry, Bowen Yang, Xochitl Gomez, Paula Pell, Giancarlo Esposito, Titus Burgess and America Ferrera.
The movie was initially planned for 2024, then scheduled for March 6, 2026. After an additional eight-month delay, reportedly intended to avoid a clash with Pixar’s Hoppers, it opened November 6.
Opening weekend trails competitors
As of Saturday morning, the film was projected to take in roughly $20 million domestically over three days. That would put it at No. 2, behind Godzilla Minus Zero.
The Cat in the Hat is expected to outperform fellow new releases Drummer Boy, Ramayana: Rise of the Legend and Wild Horse Nine. Its projected opening nevertheless falls short of several 2026 animated films, including Toy Story 5 at $159.7 million, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at $131.7 million, Hoppers at $45.3 million, Minions & Monsters at $37 million and GOAT at $27.2 million.
Budget raises the stakes
A modest opening does not by itself establish that the film will lose money. Family animation can build box-office momentum over time, but the reported $86 million production budget could put its estimated break-even point as high as $215 million worldwide.
Some animated films with similar domestic debuts have gone on to exceed that worldwide total, but the article notes that not all have. Reaching the threshold may not be enough to secure a sequel, which the film has teased.
Word of mouth remains uncertain
The movie may need strong word of mouth to grow its audience. Critics have given it a 45% Rotten Tomatoes score, while too few audience members have rated it for an official Popcornmeter score.
Its CinemaScore is A, a sign that it could connect with a broad audience. Whether that response will translate into enough additional ticket sales remains uncertain.
Key points
- The Cat in the Hat is projected to earn about $20 million domestically in its opening weekend.
- The film is expected to finish second behind Godzilla Minus Zero.
- Its reported $86 million budget could put its break-even point as high as $215 million worldwide.
- The movie has a 45% Rotten Tomatoes score and a CinemaScore of A.