Introduction
The Cat in the Hat is a beloved children’s book and television series that has been popular for over 60 years. Written by Dr. Seuss and originally published in 1957, The Cat in the Hat book centers around the mischievous Cat bringing chaos into the lives of Sally and her brother one rainy day while their mother is away. With its simple rhyming text and iconic illustrations, the book became an instant classic that went on to sell over 10 million copies.
The lasting popularity of the Cat in the Hat has led to numerous television adaptations and spinoffs over the years. The animated The Cat in the Hat TV series aired on CBS from 1971-1972, featuring the Cat interacting with two children named Dick and Sally. In 2003, a live-action Cat in the Hat film starring Mike Myers was released. Most recently in 2010, a new animated series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! premiered on PBS Kids, with the Cat embarking on adventures and teaching science facts to neighbors Nick and Sally.
Today, fans of the iconic Cat have several options to watch the original specials and adaptations. From DVD releases to streaming platforms, the mischievous Cat continues to entertain and delight children of all ages.
Television
Cat in the Hat series such as the original The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! and the animated series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas can be watched on cable networks like Nickelodeon and Boomerang. Nickelodeon airs episodes of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! on weekdays as part of their preschool programming block. Check your local Nickelodeon listings for exact airtimes. Boomerang also airs reruns of the original animated series. You can find the schedule on their website at https://www.boomerang.com/schedule.
In addition, you may be able to find reruns of the classic The Cat in the Hat TV specials from the 1970s and 80s on networks like PBS during holiday times or as part of nostalgia programming blocks. Check your local PBS station’s schedule for details.
DVDs
There have been several DVD releases of the live action The Cat in the Hat film starring Mike Myers since the movie’s theatrical release in 2003. The original DVD release came out in March 2004 and featured widescreen and full screen editions with deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and more bonuses (Amazon). In 2006, a “Special Edition” was released with additional extras like an alternate ending, more deleted scenes, and cast interviews (Amazon).
Today, both the original and Special Edition DVDs can still be purchased on Amazon and major retailers like Walmart and Target. The original animated Cat in the Hat specials from the 1970s have also been released on DVD collections, allowing fans to own the complete adventures of the iconic character. With both live action and animated options, as well as regular and deluxe editions, there are many Cat in the Hat DVDs available for devotees of Dr. Seuss.
Streaming
The Cat in the Hat series is available to stream on a few major platforms. On Amazon Prime Video, you can watch the live-action movie adaptation starring Mike Myers for free with a Prime subscription. The animated TV series is also available for purchase on Amazon Video.
You can find some episodes and compilations of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That animated series on Peacock. A free Peacock account provides access to a limited selection of episodes. For full access, you’ll need a paid Premium subscription.
While the classic specials and movies are not currently streaming on Netflix or Hulu, you can find some of the newer Cat in the Hat iterations like the animated series on select streaming platforms. Pricing and availability varies across platforms and regions.
Digital Purchase
One way to access the Cat in the Hat series is through Digital Purchase from platforms like Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play. This allows you to buy and download digital copies of the show to own. For example, you can purchase Dr. Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat 2003 live action film starring Mike Myers on Amazon Video for $3.99 to rent or $9.99 to buy.
The options for purchasing digitally give you permanent access to download the show and watch anytime. Pricing can range from $2-$15 per episode/movie depending on the platform. Google Play offers many of the Cat in the Hat movies and specials for $9.99 each in HD quality. On iTunes you can buy the complete animated series for $24.99.
Digital purchases allow you to watch on a variety of devices from smartphones and tablets to computers and TVs. It gives you the flexibility to view shows offline too without an internet connection. The quality is generally HD or 4K providing a high resolution viewing experience.
Library
One way to watch Cat in the Hat without purchasing it is by checking it out from your local library. Most libraries carry DVDs and VHS tapes that can be borrowed for free with a library card. Here are some tips for finding Cat in the Hat at your library:
Check the library’s online catalog to see if they own a copy. You can search by title, subject, or keyword. The catalog will tell you if it’s currently available or checked out.
Look in the children’s video section. Larger libraries often separate videos into genres and age groups. Cat in the Hat will likely be shelved with the children’s DVDs.
Ask a librarian for help locating it or placing a hold. If it’s not on the shelf, don’t give up. The librarian can check other branches or place a hold so it’s waiting for you when available.
Take advantage of inter-library loan services. If your library doesn’t own it, they may be able to borrow it from another library system. This expands your options for finding the DVD.
“Cat in the Hat is a beloved children’s story. With some persistence, you can likely find the DVD at a local public library and enjoy watching without having to purchase it.”
News and Updates
65 years after it was first published, The Cat in the Hat remains an iconic part of pop culture and the Dr. Seuss empire. In March 2022, USA Today reported on how the book endures despite controversies over racism in some Seuss titles (https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/03/11/dr-seuss-cat-in-hat-turns-65-survives-ongoing-culture-wars/9446569002/). Fans can stay up-to-date on any new Cat in the Hat releases, adaptations, or announcements by following Dr. Seuss Enterprises social media accounts, subscribing to newsletters from publishers like Random House, or setting Google Alerts for “Cat in the Hat” news.
Major Cat in the Hat milestones, controversies, and updates are also covered regularly by entertainment and literary media outlets. Dedicated Seuss fans can follow sites like Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal for coverage of new Seuss books, adaptations, and more.
Nostalgia and Memories
The Cat in the Hat series holds a special nostalgic place in the hearts of many who grew up watching the original animated specials in the 1970s and 1980s. As this review points out, the offbeat humor and rhyming narration made the show delightfully memorable for children at the time. Fans who re-watch the original specials are often taken back to fond childhood memories of cozy days spent in front of the TV.
Beyond just entertainment, The Cat in the Hat gave many children their first introduction to the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. The series brought his unique imaginary characters, rhyme schemes, and witty life lessons to the screen in a way that perfectly captured the magic of the books. For Seuss fans, seeing the Cat, Thing 1, Thing 2, and the rest of the gang in animated form was thrilling and added to their connection to the stories.
Though the animation and production values seem dated today, the charm, humor, and spirit of the original Cat in the Hat series remains timeless. For those who grew up watching, revisiting the specials offers a dose of nostalgia and a chance to fondly remember beloved childhood media.
Adaptations
The original Cat in the Hat book by Dr. Seuss has been adapted into various media over the years. The most notable is the 2003 live-action film The Cat in the Hat starring Mike Myers as the Cat. It is a live-action adaptation produced by Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment (https://catinhatadapt.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/adaptations-of-dr-suess-the-cat-in-the-hat-a-look-at-cross-platform-storytelling/).
The film follows the basic plot of the original book, with Sally and her brother Conrad meeting the mischievous Cat who comes to visit while their mother is away. Alec Baldwin plays the family’s neat-freak neighbor who tries to get rid of the Cat. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a box office success.
In addition to the feature film, the Cat in the Hat character has been adapted into video games, apps, stage shows, theme park rides, and more over the decades. Fans of the character can still enjoy his antics across various media platforms today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are numerous ways for fans of all ages to enjoy watching the classic Cat in the Hat animated series. On television, reruns still occasionally air, allowing viewers to revisit those fond childhood memories. For those looking to own the series, DVD box sets and digital purchases/downloads make it easy to watch anytime. Streaming on services like Amazon Prime Video gives unlimited on-demand access. And local libraries frequently carry copies to borrow. While the original series ended in the early 2000s, the Cat in the Hat character still lives on through new adaptations and appearances. But for many fans, nothing quite beats rewatching those original animated adventures. With so many nostalgic options, both longtime devotees and new young viewers can easily experience the joy of the Cat in the Hat today.
