Parents' Guide to

Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat

Movie NR 2012 25 minutes
Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Sandie Angulo Chen By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 3+

Classic Dr. Seuss story is mischievous fun for whole family.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 3+?

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age 7+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Lebron45James6
Lebron45James6 Adult
October 12, 2022
age 7+

Epic

Peppa Pig is a British preschool animated television series by Astley Baker Davies. The show follows Peppa, an anthropomorphic piglet, and her family, as well as her peers portrayed as other animals. The show first aired on 31 May 2004. The seventh season began broadcasting on 5 March 2021. Peppa Pig has been broadcast in over 180 countries.
Lebron12James3
Lebron12James3 Parent of 5-year-old
November 30, 2021
age 6+

I didn’t delete all of my reviews

I just went to look at them yesterday and it said that I had no reviews. I will try to replace all of them.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on Dr. Seuss' 1957 children's book, DR. SEUSS'S THE CAT IN THE HAT follows a young sister and brother who are home alone and bored to no end until in swoops a six-foot cat wearing a red-and-white stovepipe hat and a red bowtie. The Cat (voiced by Allan Sherman) immediately alarms the kids' pet fish, Mr. Krinklebein (Daws Butler), who insists the Cat immediately leave. But the Cat in the Hat returns, claiming the fish stole his moss-covered, three-handled family gradunza and enlisting the kids in a chaotic search for the family keepsake that nearly destroys the house. The chaos intensifies as the Cat invites Thing One and Thing Two along as well.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (3 ):

This short-and-sweet adaptation of Theodor Geisel's iconic tale will prove nostalgic for many parents while still amusing the newest generation of Seuss devotees. There's something truly timeless about the Cat in the Hat and his mischievous antics, even if the animation and the musical numbers are a bit dated (the special first aired on CBS in 1971).

The songs are all catchy (there's even a sing-along version of the movie in the bonus features), but by far the most memorable is the titular "Cat in the Hat" song in which the Cat details how to say his name in various languages, from French to "Eskimo." Kids will likely keep singing "chat chapeau and gato sombrero" after the musical number is finished. At only 25 minutes, this feature is a fine way to entertain even the youngest Seuss fan.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Dr. Seuss' stories are so timeless. What is it about The Cat in the Hat that speaks to even the youngest readers and viewers? What is your favorite Dr. Seuss-based movie or show?

  • Do you think the Cat in the Hat is a role model? If not, why do you think he's still so popular?

Movie Details

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