One of the Worst Movies Ever Just Hit Peacock (And There’s a New Adaptation on the Way)

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It’s rare for a movie to be called the “worst ever,” but a 2003 film recently added to Peacock definitely earns that label. This critically panned movie is now available to stream, just as a new version of the same story is getting ready to be released in theaters.

The 2003 film Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, directed by Bo Welch, was widely panned by critics – earning a mere 9% score on Rotten Tomatoes – and is now available to stream on Peacock as of November 1st. Based on the beloved 1957 children’s book, the live-action movie follows the mischievous Cat as he turns the ordinary day of siblings Conrad and Sally upside down, creating chaos and fun. Starring Mike Myers, Dakota Fanning, and Spencer Breslin, the film was critically unsuccessful, even winning a Golden Raspberry Award for being a concept without substance and a ‘Worst Picture’ award at the Stinkers Bad Movie Awards.

Is Dr. Seuss’ the Cat in the Hat Really That Bad?

Calling The Cat in the Hat one of the worst movies ever might sound like an exaggeration, but it’s surprisingly accurate. The film lost all the charm and imagination of Dr. Seuss’s original story, replacing it with lowbrow, childish jokes – including inappropriate suggestions and bathroom humor. It also strayed significantly from the book, adding entirely new characters and storylines. And it’s impossible to discuss the movie without mentioning how disturbing the design of the Cat himself was – Mike Myers’ portrayal was unsettling, with exaggerated features that were creepy rather than whimsical.

Despite the negative reaction to the 2003 film The Cat in the Hat, there’s an interesting side effect: it’s become known as a famously bad movie that many people feel compelled to see just to experience how truly awful it is. The film was so poorly received that Dr. Seuss’s wife, Audrey Geisel, decided to prevent any further live-action movies based on his books. This is why the new adaptation, starring Bill Hader, will be animated. Set to release on February 27, 2026, the animated version appears to be a much better take on the classic children’s book.

What’s New on Peacock?

If you’re not in the mood for The Cat in the Hat, Peacock has lots of other great movies to stream this November. Families can enjoy films like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Croods, Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, and Paddington. Plus, you can now stream several Fast & Furious movies, the Men in Black series, and the original Jurassic Park trilogy.

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2025-11-19 22:41