What we flagged
View all categories
Netflix
BINGE
Foxtel Now
Stan
Netflix Standard with Ads
Rent or buy on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fetch TV
Our take
This Cat turns a quiet day at home into one long, noisy mess. The chases and slapstick are cartoonish, but there are rude jokes aimed over children's heads and a few moments that may overwhelm little ones. We would start around 8, especially if your child likes their Dr. Seuss gentler.
Uplifting themes
Both kids learn to take responsibility, one by loosening up and the other by owning up to mistakes. It is a simple message and the wild fun is the main attraction The brother and sister look after each other when things go sideways and show real courage. The Cat is a lovable trickster who shows little regard for rules Seuss-style rhymes and wordplay may nudge younger kids toward playing with language. There is little else to learn here, but the rhythm of the lines is catchy
Story (may spoil tone)
During a rainy day, and while their mother is out, Conrad and Sally, and their pet fish, are visited by the mischievous Cat in the Hat. Fun soon turns to mayhem, and the siblings must figure out how to rid themselves of the maniacal Cat.
What we flagged
Details
Violence Slapstick crashes, chases, and a snarling pet dog make for cartoon-styl…
Slapstick crashes, chases, and a snarling pet dog make for cartoon-style rough play. A grown-up makes a nasty threat about a bloody accident, but nobody is really hurt
Language The Cat's patter includes name-calling, bathroom humour, and mild rude…
The Cat's patter includes name-calling, bathroom humour, and mild rude words. It is aimed at getting laughs from kids, and nothing stronger than that comes up
Sex / nudity The Cat tosses in a handful of cheeky double-meaning jokes aimed at adu…
The Cat tosses in a handful of cheeky double-meaning jokes aimed at adults. Young kids are unlikely to catch most of them, but parents will
Drugs / alcohol Cigars are puffed in a couple of scenes, and a gag mentions chewing tob…
Cigars are puffed in a couple of scenes, and a gag mentions chewing tobacco. It is all played for laughs and no one is shown as impaired or in trouble
Frightening The Cat's chaos grows loud and wild, and a big dog gives chase more tha…
The Cat's chaos grows loud and wild, and a big dog gives chase more than once. A few moments feel intense for toddlers, but the tone stays silly and things are put right quickly
Bullying / discrimination A pushy neighbor sneers at the kids and tries hard to get them into tro…
A pushy neighbor sneers at the kids and tries hard to get them into trouble. The meanness is cartoonish, and the kids stand their ground in the end
Dangerous behaviour The kids and the Cat bounce on furniture, race around the house, and ca…
The kids and the Cat bounce on furniture, race around the house, and cause enormous messes. Younger viewers may be tempted to copy the silliness and ignore adult rules
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
What other parents think.
Be the first family to leave a watch note.
Talk after watching
- When the Cat made a mess, who was responsible for cleaning it up?
- Why do you think the kids found it hard to tell the adults what was going on?
Ask ClearAge
The Cat in the Hat
Ask about this guide, or name another film to open its ClearAge page.
