Common Sense Media Review
By Clint Worthington
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Too crude for the kids who are reading the book.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
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Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 51 parent reviews
Parents say this adaptation strays significantly from the beloved children's book, featuring inappropriate content such as crude humor, sexual innuendos, and excessive swearing, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While some viewers found it amusing or nostalgic, many felt it was terrifying and traumatizing for children, ultimately calling it a disappointing and misguided representation of Dr. Seuss's work.
- crude humor
- inappropriate content
- terrifying character
- mixed reviews
- not suitable for kids
Summarized with AI
Based on 119 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie often strays far from the original book, blending nostalgic humor with inappropriate adult jokes, which can be confusing for young audiences. While some reviews praise its comedic brilliance and have nostalgic fondness, many express concern over its crude content, claiming it is not suitable for younger children and can be unsettling or terrifying.
- inappropriate humor
- adult jokes
- mixed reviews
- not for kids
- nostalgic nostalgia
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Based on the classic story, DR. SEUSS' THE CAT IN THE HAT stars Mike Myers as the mischievous Cat, who drops by the house of two young siblings—the rebellious Conrad (Spencer Breslin) and controlling Sally (Dakota Fanning)—while their mother, Joan (Kelly Preston), is away. His stated mission? To brighten their rainy day with all manner of activities, most of which cause incredible destruction and chaos. Meanwhile, Joan's sleazy boyfriend, Quinn (Alec Baldwin), schemes to marry her and send Conrad off to a military school. But first, he'll have to overcome the wild imagination of the Cat and his two new friends.
Is It Any Good?
Initially derided on release, it's easy to dismiss this Razzie-winning adaptation as nothing but grating, lowbrow kids' fare. But, love it or hate it, Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat has a lot more going on under the fur than you might imagine. Director Bo Welch—husband of the late Catherine O'Hara and production designer on many of Tim Burton's movies—and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki inject the film with candy-colored whimsy, with jellybean-colored sets and eye-popping visuals that feel unlike anything you've seen before (or since).
What lets it down most is Myers' over-the-top performance as the titular cat, playing him as a demented Mary Poppins who grins and turns to the camera at every other joke. He's at once on the film's wavelength and deeply off of it, depending on the scene, sometimes tipping too far into "do you get it?" obviousness. It's also a mistake to confuse this with a film solely for kids, as the film's camp sensibilities feel calibrated for adult levels of absurdity. Annoying and invigorating in equal measure, it's truly a time capsule of the early 2000s, from its Paris Hilton cameo to its Smash Mouth cover of The Beatles' "Getting Better."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Sally struggles to have friends in Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat. For Conrad, why does he have a hard time following rules? Do you relate?
Why do you think the movie looks the way it does? Does it make the film feel like a Dr. Seuss book?
Did you enjoy the absurd humor? Do the jokes feel like they're meant more for kids or for grownups? How can you tell?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 21, 2003
- On DVD or streaming : March 16, 2004
- Cast : Alec Baldwin , Dakota Fanning , Kelly Preston , Mike Myers
- Director : Bo Welch
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Animals ( Cats )
- Run time : 82 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild crude humor and some double-entendres
- Award : Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated : November 4, 2026
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