‘The Cat in the Hat’ (2026) Voice Cast & Character Guide

One of Dr. Seuss’s most beloved childhood characters is returning to the big screen! The mischievous, hat-wearing feline is back in The Cat in the Hat, a new animated adventure that promises plenty of colorful characters, imaginative worlds and, of course, chaos.

With an all-star voice cast led by Bill Hader, the latest adaptation introduces a new generation to the troublemaking Cat while bringing a fresh take on the character that generations of readers and moviegoers have grown up with.

Here’s everything you need to know about the voice cast of The Cat in the Hat, including the actors behind the animated characters.

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What Is the New ‘The Cat in the Hat’ About?

Based on Dr. Seuss’s classic children’s book, The Cat in the Hat follows the Cat, an anthropomorphized housecat, on his most important assignment yet. As an employee of the Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, or the I.I.I.I. for short, the Cat is responsible for bringing joy and excitement into children’s lives. Unfortunately, his mischievous habits have a tendency to get him into trouble.

His latest mission brings him to Gabby and Sebastian, two siblings who are struggling to adjust after moving to a new town. Determined to cheer them up, the Cat introduces the children to a world of imagination, magic and adventure. But his unconventional methods quickly spiral out of control, putting his job and his beloved magical hat at risk.

The 2026 film marks the Cat’s return to theaters more than two decades after the 2003 live-action adaptation starring Mike Myers. Unlike that version, the new movie is entirely animated, allowing filmmakers to bring Dr. Seuss’s whimsical illustrations and fantastical creatures to life in a way that more closely resembles the colorful, imaginative world of the original books.

Want a sneak peek? Check out the official trailer for The Cat in the Hat:

‘The Cat in the Hat’ Cast & Characters Guide

Here’s a look at the animated characters appearing in the 2026 The Cat in the Hat movie and the voice actors behind them:

Bill Hader as The Cat in the Hat

Known from: Barry, Saturday Night Live, It: Chapter Two, Superbad, Documentary Now!

Bill Hader lends his voice to the Cat in the Hat, Dr. Seuss’s mischievous feline with never-ending energy and a talent for turning ordinary situations into extraordinary adventures. Playful but unpredictable, and endlessly imaginative, the Cat loves bringing joy to children, even if his unconventional methods sometimes lead to some chaos too.

As an employee of the Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration (I.I.I.I.), the Cat has earned a reputation for being exceptionally good at cheering up children, though his assignments often leave considerable messes behind. His latest mission involves Gabby and Sebastian, two siblings struggling to adjust to a new town. With his boss running out of patience, the Cat must prove he can get the job done without taking things too far.

Hader has an extensive voice acting résumé, with standout roles including Fear in Inside Out, Flint Lockwood in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and several characters in The Angry Birds Movie.

Xochitl Gomez as Gabby

Known from: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Dancing with the Stars, Boston Blue

Xochitl Gomez voices Gabby, a young girl struggling to adjust to life in a new town after moving with her mother and younger brother, Sebastian. Leaving behind everything familiar hasn’t been easy, and Gabby isn’t particularly enthusiastic about starting over. She’s a little stubborn and has a bit of an attitude at times, especially compared to her more optimistic younger brother.

When the Cat in the Hat arrives with a mission to cheer up the siblings, Gabby finds herself swept into a fantastical world filled with magic and mischief. Although she isn’t immediately convinced by the Cat’s antics, his relentless pursuit of fun and happiness helps her embrace the unexpected and rediscover her sense of adventure.

Tiago Martinez as Sebastian

Known from: Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, Michael, For All Mankind, Send Help

Tiago Martinez voices Sebastian, Gabby’s younger brother, who has a much more positive outlook on life despite recent changes in his family. Energetic and always ready for an adventure, Sebastian tries to make the best of their new surroundings, even when his older sister isn’t quite as enthusiastic.

Although Sebastian is excited about new experiences, he misses the close relationship he once shared with Gabby. He’s determined to cheer her up and help her feel like herself again, refusing to let her gloomy mood get in the way of their bond. When the Cat in the Hat arrives, Sebastian finds someone who shares his enthusiasm for fun and imagination, giving him a new opportunity to reconnect with his sister.

Quinta Brunson as Sherri from HR

Known from: Abbott Elementary, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Quinta Brunson voices Sherri, a human resources employee at the Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration. Tasked with helping keep the organization running smoothly, Sherri has her hands full dealing with the Cat, whose enthusiasm for spreading joy doesn’t always align with workplace rules and expectations.

But Sherri is no stickler for the rules. Rather than reprimanding the Cat for his antics, she is one of his closest friends and biggest supporters. She’s a kindhearted woman who recognizes his talent for making children happy, even though his methods might cause a bit of extra work on her end. When Mr. Hoogeboom threatens to fire the Cat, Sherri steps in to defend him, determined to make sure her friend gets another chance to prove himself.

America Ferrera as Carmen

Known from: Barbie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Ugly Betty, Superstore, Christine

America Ferrera voices Carmen, Gabby and Sebastian’s hardworking, devoted mother. As a single parent working long hours at a hospital, Carmen does everything she can to provide a good life for her children, even when that means making difficult decisions, like uprooting her kids’ lives to move to a new town.

Carmen has plenty on her plate, but there’s more to her than her responsibilities as a mother. She once had creative passions of her own, including music and art, that have taken a back seat as she’s focused on working and raising her children. As Gabby and Sebastian learn more about their mother’s past, they begin to recognize the sacrifices she’s made for them and discover a side of her they never knew existed.

Giancarlo Esposito as Mr. Hoogeboom

Known from: Breaking Bad, The Usual Suspects, Do the Right Thing, The Boys, The Gentlemen

Giancarlo Esposito voices Mr. Hoogeboom, the Cat in the Hat’s boss at the I.I.I.I. As the person responsible for overseeing the Cat’s assignments, Mr. Hoogeboom has grown increasingly frustrated with his employee’s tendency to take things too far.

Mr. Hoogeboom is strict and demanding, and values order and accountability, putting him at odds with the Cat’s approach to his work. He is becoming fed up with the Cat leaving chaos and destruction in his wake. With his patience running thin, he gives the Cat one final opportunity to prove himself by bringing happiness to Gabby and Sebastian. If the Cat fails, he could lose his job.

Matt Berry as Fish

Known from: Toast of London, The IT Crowd, What We Do in the Shadows, Snuff Box

Matt Berry voices Waffles, the pet goldfish belonging to Gabby and Sebastian. Normally confined to his fishbowl, Waffles gets a rather unexpected change of scenery when the Cat in the Hat gives him the ability to talk and move around outside the water.

Unlike the Cat, Waffles is more cautious, sensible and easily exasperated by the chaos unfolding around him. His newfound ability to leave his fishbowl might give him more freedoms, but it doesn’t necessarily make him any safer, especially when the Cat’s mischievous Things start eyeing him as a potential snack.

Bowen Yang as Gary the Intern

Known from: Saturday Night Live, Wicked, Overcompensating, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens

Bowen Yang voices Gary, an intern at the I.I.I.I. As one of the organization’s employees, Gary works in the same unusual environment as the Cat, where spreading joy and inspiring children are part of the job. Although little has been revealed about his personality or specific responsibilities, Gary works alongside Sherri from HR and Mr. Hoogeboom.

Paula Pell as Patty

Known from: Saturday Night Live, The ‘Burbs, Big Mouth, The Slumber Party, A.P. Bio

Paula Pell voices Patty, Gabby and Sebastian’s new landlady. As the family settles into their new home, Patty is one of the people they encounter in their unfamiliar surroundings.

Patty appears to take her responsibilities as a landlady seriously, with promotional materials showing her holding an eviction notice. While that suggests she may be less than thrilled by the disruption surrounding the Cat’s arrival, details about her involvement in the story haven’t been revealed.

Tituss Burgess as The Psychic Narwhal

Known from: Set it Up, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Dolemite Is My Name, Smurfs: The Lost Village

Tituss Burgess voices the Psychic Narwhal, one of the unusual creatures inhabiting the fantastical world of The Cat in the Hat. His name suggests an ability to predict the future or telepathy, but neither has been confirmed ahead of the film’s premiere.

Burgess is best known for his comedic performances and distinctive singing voice, particularly as Titus Andromedon in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. His experience in musical comedy and animation makes him a fitting addition to the film’s eccentric ensemble.

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