DECEMBER 2026

 

Don’t miss these titles, opening in cinemas in December 2026! 

Violent Night 2

Photo credit: Universal Pictures

December 2 - Violent Night 2 (Universal Pictures)

Cast: David Harbour, Kristen Bell, Jared Harris, Joe Pantoliano

Directed by: Tommy Wirkola

Trailer: https://youtu.be/6olPbrF-eI0?si=GlhczQ5XShlXbZ3R

Official synopsis: 

In 2022’s bare-knuckle holiday sensation, “Violent Night,” an embittered Santa (David Harbour), armed with lethal combat skills, took out a team of mercenaries to rescue a girl and her family. Now, not-so-jolly Saint Nick suits up again to take on a ruthless gangster (Jared Harris) terrorizing the merchants of the Silver Bell Mall.

But when Santa forgets the true meaning of Christmas, he finds himself in the heart of a lively mall community in desperate need of his help. Sapped of his magic, he’ll need another way to take on the goons threatening the mall, and time is running out. Santa has to rediscover his faith in goodness and call in some last-minute reinforcements from the one person no baddie wants to tangle with: Mrs. Claus (Kristen Bell). 

#EbenezerMovie

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

December 2 - Ebenezer (Paramount Pictures)

Cast: Johnny Depp, Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Tramell Tillman, Ian McKellen

Directed by: Ti West

Trailer: https://youtu.be/_y_oWweDgPY?si=eokHlQ-Lz87swF8F

Official synopsis: 

This holiday season, prepare to be ghosted. Johnny Depp is the deliciously unpleasant Ebenezer Scrooge in a thrilling reimagining of the most iconic ghost story of all time. On one unforgettable Christmas Eve, Ebenezer collides with his past, present, and future on a supernatural journey that will decide his ultimate fate. If you think you know his story, think again. Directed by Ti West and with a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern, Ebenezer also stars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, with Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen. 

#DuneMovie

Photo credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures 

© 2026 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

December 16, with sneak previews December 15 - Dune: Part Three (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Isaach de Bankolé, Charlotte Rampling, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, Javier Bardem

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Trailer: https://youtu.be/Cv10um_0OdI?si=EBwmiJSzalwPbTQV

Official synopsis:

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes “Dune: Part Three,” bringing Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s epic trilogy to a breathtaking conclusion.

“Dune: Part Three” is set nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seized control of the Imperium. Now a ruthless Emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. Haunted by visions of Imperial collapse and the reappearance of his long-lost love, Paul is drawn into a sweeping conspiracy, with Chani at the heart of its unfolding mystery. As rebellion brews and enemies close in, Paul must confront the true cost of power and the fate of those he loves the most.

*Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.* 

“I have always been a huge fan of the Fockers franchise,” says Ariana Grande in a new featurette for “FOCKER IN-LAW,” in cinemas NOVEMBER 25

 PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Ariana Grande in Focker In-Law

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures 

Olivia Jones is ready to shake things up! 

In Focker In-Law, the latest film in the Meet the Parents franchise, newbie Olivia is played by Ariana Grande, a self-confessed huge fan of the movie series. “I have always been a huge fan of the Fockers franchise,” says Grande. “So it’s like, wow, I don’t know what I did right in a previous life or in this life or in any life to have the opportunity of being here.” 

Watch the “Ariana Grande Character Piece” featurette: https://youtu.be/fv1UtPf0ve0

The Wicked star and Grammy-winning artist joins Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro in the film, where she plays Olivia, the woman Greg’s (Stiller) son brings home to the family to introduce as his girlfriend – putting her in the same spot with Greg that Greg was in with Jack Byrnes (De Niro) in Meet the Parents. “I absolutely loved the character,” says Grande. “I love the way she challenges the Fockers’ and the Byrnes’s dynamic.”

Get ready to join the Circle of Trust when Focker In-Law opens in cinemas NOVEMBER 25. #FockerInLawMovie

About Focker In-Law

 

Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures Present

A Tribeca/Red Hour Films/Delirious Media/Particular Pictures Production 

A John Hamburg film

 

Executive Producers: 

Nancy Tenenbaum, Amy Herman, Lauren Hennessey, Michelle Graham, Berry Welsh

 

Produced by: 

Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, John Lesher, Jay Roach, John Hamburg

Story by: 

John Hamburg and Ilana Glazer & Austen Earl 

 

Screenplay by: 

John Hamburg

 

Directed by: 

John Hamburg

 

Cast: 

Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Skyler Gisondo, Beanie Feldstein, Eduardo Franco and Ariana Grande

Genre: 

Comedy 

Synopsis:

This November, comedy icon and Emmy® winner Ben Stiller and two-time Oscar® winner

Robert De Niro reunite, joined by Grammy® winner and Oscar® nominee Ariana Grande, in

Focker In-Law, a new chapter in the blockbuster Meet the Parents franchise.

The all-star comedic cast includes returning stars Actor Award nominee Teri Polo and Tony®

and Emmy winner Blythe Danner, and newcomers Skyler Gisondo (Superman), Golden Globe®

nominee Beanie Feldstein (Booksmart), and Eduardo Franco (Stranger Things).

Directed by John Hamburg, who co-wrote the three previous Meet the Parents films, Focker In-

Law is produced by Oscar®nominee Jane Rosenthal (The Irishman) and Robert De Niro for

Tribeca Productions; Ben Stiller and Oscar® winner John Lesher (Birdman or (The Unexpected

Virtue of Ignorance)) for Red Hour Films; Emmy winner Jay Roach (Game Change) for Delirious

Media; and John Hamburg for Particular Pictures. The screenplay is by John Hamburg from a

story by John Hamburg, Tony winner and Emmy nominee Ilana Glazer (Broad City) & Austen

Earl (Happy Together).

#FockerInLawMovie

@paramountpicsph

Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures” 

 

Relive the journey before you experience the epic conclusion. Tickets on sale now for Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ award-winning “DUNE” and “DUNE: PART TWO” in cinemas and IMAX® for one week only starting November 11 “DUNE: PART THREE” opens in cinemas December 16, with Sneak Previews on December 15

 

Find your way back to Arrakis. For one week only, “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two” will be back in select cinemas and IMAX, starting November 11. Audiences can relive the journey before witnessing the epic conclusion to Denis Villeneuve’s breathtaking “Dune” trilogy, as well as catch an exclusive sneak peek at “Dune: Part Three.” 

Starring Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Oscar nominee Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Isaach de Bankolé, with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling, with Anya Taylor-Joy, and Robert Pattinson, and Oscar winner Javier Bardem, “Dune: Part Three” opens only in cinemas and IMAX December 16, with sneak previews on December 15. Tickets are now on sale. To check showtimes, visit www.dunepart3.com.ph  

“Dune”

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures

© 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Official synopsis: Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival,” “Blade Runner 2049”) directs Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Dune,” the big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal bestseller of the same name.

A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides (Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential – only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/1wTsUnS32HY 

“Dune: Part Two”

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures 

© 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Official synopsis: “Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee. 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/8eiQycb15rs 

“Dune: Part Three”

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures 

© 2026 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Opening in cinemas: December 16, 2026, with sneak previews December 15

Official synopsis: “Dune: Part Three” is set nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seized control of the Imperium. Now a ruthless Emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. Haunted by visions of Imperial collapse and the reappearance of his long-lost love, Paul is drawn into a sweeping conspiracy, with Chani at the heart of its unfolding mystery. As rebellion brews and enemies close in, Paul must confront the true cost of power and the fate of those he loves the most.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/Cv10um_0OdI 

Catch the re-release of “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two” for a limited time only in cinemas and IMAX, starting November 11. And witness the epic conclusion when “Dune: Part Three” opens only in cinemas and IMAX December 16, with sneak previews on December 15. Book your tickets now. To check showtimes, visit www.dunepart3.com.ph #DuneMovie #FilmedForIMAX

About “Dune: Part Three”

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes “Dune: Part Three,” bringing Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s epic trilogy to a breathtaking conclusion.

“Dune: Part Three” is set nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seized control of the Imperium. Now a ruthless Emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. Haunted by visions of Imperial collapse and the reappearance of his long-lost love, Paul is drawn into a sweeping conspiracy, with Chani at the heart of its unfolding mystery. As rebellion brews and enemies close in, Paul must confront the true cost of power and the fate of those he loves the most.

The film stars Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Oscar nominee Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Isaach de Bankolé, with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling, with Anya Taylor-Joy, and Robert Pattinson, and Oscar winner Javier Bardem.

Villeneuve directs from a screenplay by Villeneuve and Brian K. Vaughan, based on the novels written by Frank Herbert. The film is produced by Oscar nominees Mary Parent, Tanya Lapointe, Villeneuve, Cale Boyterand and Joe Caracciolo, and executive produced by Joshua Grode, Thomas Tull, Herbert W. Gains, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, Richard P. Rubinstein, John Harrison and Jessica Derhammer.

Joining Villeneuve behind the camera are Oscar-winning director of photography Linus Sandgren, Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermette, Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker, Oscar nominated costume designer Jacqueline West, Oscar-nominated casting director Francine Maisler, and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present A Legendary Pictures Production, A Film By Denis Villeneuve, “Dune: Part Three,” only in theaters and IMAX® across North America on December 18, 2026 and internationally beginning 16 December 2026. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and in China by Legendary East.

Lights off, door locked. Ghosts on their way. Here come the Ghosts of Christmas and the other characters of “EBENEZER,” in cinemas starting December 2

 PARAMOUNT PICTURES

The spirits are out this holiday season. Check out the character posters for Ebenezer, directed by Ti West (X trilogy) and starring Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge. The film, which also stars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, with Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen, will be available in cinemas nationwide starting December 2. 

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures Presents

In Association with Domain Entertainment

A Wattsco / IN.2 Films Production

A Ti West Film

Johnny Depp

“Ebenezer”

Paramount Pictures Presents

In Association with Domain Entertainment and Black Label Media

A Wattsco / IN.2 Production

A Ti West Film

Johnny Depp

“Ebenezer”

 

SYNOPSIS

This holiday season, prepare to be ghosted. Johnny Depp is the deliciously unpleasant Ebenezer Scrooge in a thrilling reimagining of the most iconic ghost story of all time. On one unforgettable Christmas Eve, Ebenezer collides with his past, present, and future on a supernatural journey that will decide his ultimate fate. If you think you know his story, think again. Directed by Ti West and with a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern, Ebenezer also stars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, with Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY

Ti West, Adam Bohling, David Reid, Stephen Deuters, Jason Forman, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, Andrew Lary, Molly Smith, Thad Luckinbill, Trent Luckinbill   

 

PRODUCED BY

Emma Watts, p.g.a.

 

SCREENPLAY BY

Nathaniel Halpern

 

DIRECTED BY

Ti West

 

STARRING

Johnny Depp, Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, with Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen

#EbenezerMovie

@paramountpicsph

Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures”

The creative artists of “The Cat in the Hat” movie talk about bringing the beloved Dr. Seuss book to the big screen “The Cat in the Hat,” starring Bill Hader, America Ferrera and Xochitl Gomez, is now showing in cinemas

 WARNER BROS. PICTURES

#TheCatInTheHat

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

For “The Cat in the Hat” production designer Aidan Sugano, it was really important that the creative team behind the movie did the beloved story by Dr. Seuss justice. 

“This book has defined so many childhoods and been adored across so many generations,” shares Sugano. “Since there have been so many amazing interpretations of Seuss properties, we knew we wanted to find our own version. There were some simple things we knew we had to preserve – like the specific red of the Cat’s hat and bow tie, the iconic hair and costumes of the Things and base shape language of the world and some of the characters. But the most important thing we had to preserve was the spirit of the source material. We needed to find and distill that spirit so no matter how expansive our world became, we always stayed true to the heart of what made the Cat in the Hat great.”

Art director Amos Sussigan agrees. “We aimed to honor the spirit of the original books while balancing multiple visual styles,” he says. “Seuss isn’t just about the stories. It’s in his linework, his compositional style, his use of color, it’s the spirit we all connect to. The Seuss we all remember. So, to reflect that theme while staying true to the source material, we stripped it down to its simplest form. 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/K1u45XGxb6Q

“We set the rules for design based on those iconic memories: bold, graphic, and minimal. We chose a rendering style that would embrace the limitations of that approach, where we could play with the ‘lost and found’ quality of the illustrations. The palette was bold, minimalist, but also expressive. It leaned into that whimsical, irreverent surrealism that Seuss captured so well. And we paired that with dynamic camera angles and the use of negative space, all of it meant to reinforce the story, not distract from it.”

#TheCatInTheHat

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

For Ryan Gaffney (head of story), Matt Waters (visual effects supervisor) and Jean-François Leroux (digital effects supervisor), the quirky energy and whimsy of Dr. Seuss’s works were a must-have in the film. “Those simple drawings by Dr. Seuss were a huge inspiration,” says Gaffney. “We did our best to honor that quirky, energetic and charming version of the Cat in the Hat. Each story by Seuss has an amazing little emotional punch at the end – the directors [Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja] really wanted to maintain that feeling with the movie.”

Waters says that the whimsical and surrealistic world-building of Dr. Seuss informed the design of the worlds they built and the way that shots were composed. And the playful, irrational and over-engineered style of the books informed the character performances and asset designs. “The illustrations themselves are very interesting in their use of color and composition,” says Waters. “There’s a very limited color palette, large areas of negative space and compositions that often put things off-center. We tried to bring some of those ideas into the film, particularly in the more Seussian areas of the world. We wanted to find something that felt very graphic and handcrafted but was unique to this movie.”

Leroux did not grow up with “The Cat in Hat,” but recognizes the universal love for Dr. Seuss. “Dr. Seuss wasn’t only an incredible storyteller; he was also an amazing artist. His use of line work, flat color, unusual shapes and imaginative environments created a visual language that is instantly recognizable,” he says. “Hopefully, audiences who know and love the books will recognize those iconic elements and feel that sense of nostalgia.”

Bill Hader, who voices the Cat in the Hat, loved the movie’s animation as soon as he saw some storyboards. “When they sat me down and showed me basically the opening of the movie and story reel in animated storyboards, I immediately was taken with it,” shares Hader. “They captured what I liked about the book, but it had its own irreverent humor. I like that aspect of it. And in playing the Cat, they wanted me to expand on that. He’s a complicated and imperfect guy, uh, cat.”

“The Cat in the Hat,” starring Bill Hader as the voice of the Cat, America Ferrera, Xochitl Gomez, Tiago Martinez, Matt Berry, Bowen Yang and Giancarlo Esposito, is now showing in cinemas. #TheCatInTheHat

About “The Cat in the Hat”

Meet the Cat in the Hat you don’t know! In the wonderfully whimsical tradition of Dr. Seuss, “The Cat in the Hat” comes to the big screen in his animated theatrical feature film debut, an all-new, epic adventure with an edge, where mischief, magic and mayhem reign supreme. Doing what he does best, the Cat – voiced by Bill Hader – spreads joy to kids in his hilarious, signature and singularly irreverent way, transporting them and audiences on a fantastical journey through a world they’ve never seen before.

In the film, our hero takes on his toughest assignment yet for the I.I.I.I. (Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC): to cheer Gabby and Sebastian, a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town. Known for taking things too far, this could be this agent of chaos’s last chance to prove himself… or lose his magical hat!

Starring alongside Hader are Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, and Paula Pell, and featuring Tiago Martinez, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang and Tituss Burgess.

Directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s first full-length feature film, “The Cat in the Hat,” comes to theaters and IMAX® November 2026. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #TheCatInTheHat

Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures” 

 

Lazada Kicks Off 11.11 Biggest Sale of the Year as Savvy Pinoy Shoppers Lead Early Holiday Rush

 PRESS RELEASE

Lazada Philippines' Biggest Sale of the Year is helping savvy shoppers get a head start on holiday gifting, home upgrades, personal wish lists, and more.

MANILA, Philippines — With the holiday rush already underway by mid-November, savvy shoppers are getting an early start on planning gift lists, preparing their homes, and seeking meaningful purchases well before December.

This 11.11, Lazada Philippines invites the savviest of Filipino shoppers to start Christmas right with quality finds from trusted global brands at its 11.11 Biggest Sale of the Year, running from 8 PM on November 6 to November 13, 2026. Shoppers can unlock up to 90% off LazFlash Deals, plus an additional of up to PHP 3,000 off Lazada vouchers, making it easier to score great value on gifts, household essentials, personal technology, fashion, and everyday lifestyle finds ahead of the Christmas rush.

Featured brands to look forward to in this sale include SharkNinja, Jo Malone, CAROTE Global, Tempur, HONOR, Scrub Daddy, Karat World, and FitFlop.

Beyond the deals in this year’s biggest sale, Lazada highlights a considered approach to holiday shopping, where quality, authenticity, trust, and value drive purchase decisions alongside price — exactly what the rising number of savvy Filipino shoppers are looking for.

Filipino shoppers becoming more discerning about value

The growing wave of Filipino savvy shoppers was recently highlighted in the 2026 eCommerce Savvy Shopper Report by Cube in partnership with Lazada, which revealed that 36% of Filipino online shoppers qualify as "Savvy Shoppers"—the highest proportion across six Southeast Asian markets surveyed—with an additional 22% classified as "Near-Savvy."

The report examines shopper savviness across four dimensions: Verification, Value Optimisation, Confidence & Protection, and Digital Fluency. These dimensions reflect how shoppers assess products and sellers, seek value, navigate digital shopping tools, and consider the safeguards available throughout the online shopping journey. 

The findings point to a more deliberate approach to online purchases. While price remains an important consideration, Filipino shoppers are also paying attention to product authenticity, seller credibility, buyer protection, and the information and tools that help them make informed decisions.

 

For Lazada, this presents an opportunity to make online shopping about more than finding a deal. Through LazMall’s authenticity guarantee, AI chatbot LazzieChat, and an array of in-app shopping tools, Lazada helps savvy shoppers navigate their purchase decisions with greater ease and confidence.

"Filipinos are becoming more intentional about how they shop online. They want value, but they also want confidence in what they buy, who they buy it from, and the quality they can expect. At Lazada, we want to help shoppers make choices they feel good about, not just during 11.11, but throughout the holiday season and beyond. Our goal is to bring together trusted brands, relevant products, and a shopping experience that helps make every purchase more worthwhile," said Janet Siasoco, Head of General Operations at Lazada Philippines.

This 11.11, Lazada Philippines brings together trusted global brands and compelling deals to help Filipino shoppers prepare for the holidays with greater confidence. From thoughtful gifts to home essentials and everyday lifestyle finds, shoppers can discover products for the season and beyond.

Unlock the biggest deals as you shop on Lazada Philippines' 11.11 Biggest Sale of the Year on the Lazada PH app from 8 PM on November 6 to November 13, 2026. 

“It’s okay to just make a mess sometimes, to have fun, to be silly, and to just really live in the moment,” says “THE CAT IN THE HAT” director about the movie’s relevance today “The Cat in the Hat,” starring Bill Hader, America Ferrera and Xochitl Gomez, opens in PH cinemas NOVEMBER 6, Friday

 WARNER BROS. PICTURES

#TheCatInTheHat

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Erica Rivinoja, whose writing credits include “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2,” “Trolls” and “South Park,” grew up with “The Cat in the Hat.” So when Warner Bros. Pictures Animation called her to see if she would be interested in directing the Cat in the Hat movie they wanted to make, Rivinoja jumped at the chance to work on the film, and for her directorial debut no less. 

“I love the book, and I grew up with the book,” says Rivinoja. “I really wanted to make sure that when we were doing this movie, we kept what everybody loves about the book – the Cat in the Hat, his chaos making, and the fun the children have. I think that’s the most important part of this character and why he’s so iconic – he just creates giant messes, has a ton of fun, lets children be children, and then just leaves. And I think that’s why he’s so memorable for so many people and so many generations.”

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/K1u45XGxb6Q

Rivinoja’s fellow director for the animated film Alessandro Carloni, who is Italian, came across the beloved book in his early teens when he was learning English. Carloni loved the book not just because of how it helped him learn the language, but also because the Cat in the Hat reminded him of someone very special to him. “I was personally charmed by the story because the Cat in the Hat was very much who my father was,” shares Carloni. “My dad was working really hard when I was little, and he would come home just as me and my sister would go to sleep. He would make sure to come in and give us as much fun as he could in the few moments he had with us before we would go to sleep. And he would do it by being silly, absurd, and playful, which is very much who the cat is. And making that comparison was important to me, mostly because what the book does is it teases this character, this agent of chaos, this whirlwind of playfulness and fun, and it leaves you wanting more.”

#TheCatInTheHat

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Speaking of more… In the animated film, the original Thing 1 and Thing 2 from the book will have a few more friends. “We thought, “They’re the original creators of chaos – what would happen if there were more of them, and they came from some crazy land where there were hundreds and hundreds of them? You think the Cat in the Hat is chaotic. The Things are that to the extreme,” says Rivinoja. “It was amazing to get to lean into this phenomenon. Everybody knows Thing One and Thing Two – it’s still a huge Halloween costume. And it was really fun to get to lean into that and create even more of them. Designing them was fun.”

The movie expands on the book by exploring what happens to the Cat after visiting the two children who were home alone and bored. “By the time the Cat leaves and mom comes back home, [the kids] not only seem to be entertained and having a good time, but they seem to be sitting up a little straighter. They seem to be a little more confident,” says Carloni. “So, we started asking ourselves, ‘What does the Cat really do? Is he really just a wacky guy out there that wants to have a good time, or could it be that deep down there’s more to him? Could it be that he’s actually the greatest child psychologist ever, the greatest emotional support animal? The character who’s able to meet the child, know exactly what he or she needs, and give it to them disguised as just a fun day of rule breaking?’” 

#TheCatInTheHat

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

And so the I.I.I.I. (Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC) was born. “In order to discover the truth about the Cat, we decided to just stick with him at the end of the book as this crazy, furry, lunatic leaves, and follow him,” continues Carloni. “And we discover that he returns to his office to get his next assignment. We discover this is the Cat in the Hat’s actual job, to connect with the kids who are bored, perhaps on a rainy day, but perhaps also the kids who are in a special moment of need in their life. And he’s able to give them exactly what they need.”

Rivinoja and Carloni are hoping that the film will inspire different generations. “We wanted to make sure that this movie appeals to everyone – to young kids who are reading that book right now, but there’s also a sense of nostalgia for parents and grandparents who read it when they were young,” says Rivinoja. “And we just really love that for kids – because so much of their lives right now is spent, on screens or not just being messy – it was really important for us to get that message out that it’s okay to just make a mess sometimes, to have fun, to be silly, and to just really live in the moment.”

“The Cat in the Hat,” starring Bill Hader as the voice of the Cat, America Ferrera, Xochitl Gomez, Tiago Martinez, Matt Berry, Bowen Yang and Giancarlo Esposito, opens in cinemas Friday, November 6. #TheCatInTheHat

About “The Cat in the Hat”

Meet the Cat in the Hat you don’t know! In the wonderfully whimsical tradition of Dr. Seuss, “The Cat in the Hat” comes to the big screen in his animated theatrical feature film debut, an all-new, epic adventure with an edge, where mischief, magic and mayhem reign supreme. Doing what he does best, the Cat – voiced by Bill Hader – spreads joy to kids in his hilarious, signature and singularly irreverent way, transporting them and audiences on a fantastical journey through a world they’ve never seen before. 

In the film, our hero takes on his toughest assignment yet for the I.I.I.I. (Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC): to cheer Gabby and Sebastian, a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town. Known for taking things too far, this could be this agent of chaos’s last chance to prove himself… or lose his magical hat!

Starring alongside Hader are Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, and Paula Pell, and featuring Tiago Martinez, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang and Tituss Burgess.

Directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s first full-length feature film, “The Cat in the Hat,” comes to theaters and IMAX® November 2026. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #TheCatInTheHat

Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”