‘The Cat and the Hatchet’ Posters Tease October 31 Release of ‘Cat in the Hat’ Horror Movie

Another family-friendly pop culture icon is getting a low-budget horror makeover. The Cat and the Hatchet, a twisted horror parody inspired by The Cat in the Hat, is set to premiere on October 31, 2026, just in time for Halloween.

Directed by Cameron Dodd, the horror short turns the familiar cat-themed character into something far more sinister, with a new set of character posters teasing the bloody nightmare awaiting its unsuspecting victims.

What Is ‘The Cat and the Hatchet’ About?

The story follows siblings Ellie and Connor, whose ordinary day takes a terrifying turn when Scratches the Cat unexpectedly arrives at their home.

What begins as a strange visit soon descends into a nightmare. Scratches reveals a twisted sense of humor, transforming what should be an innocent encounter into a disturbing experience for the two siblings.

Mark Ricci stars as Scratches the Cat, alongside William Brandt Baker as Connor and Lilah Hewson as Ellie.

The filmmakers have released three new character posters offering a preview of the horror to come. You can also check out the official teaser below.

Who Is Behind the Horror Short?

The Cat and the Hatchet is directed by Cameron Dodd and produced by Kaleb Carmichael and Mark Ricci. The project comes from Six Side Studios and Prime Capitol.

Prime Capitol previously released the horror short Simon Says, which is currently available to watch on Tubi.

As with other independent horror projects that reimagine recognizable pop culture figures, The Cat and the Hatchet takes a familiar concept in a much darker direction.

The short is described as a nonprofit parody and is not authorized by, affiliated with, or endorsed by the owners of the original intellectual property.

The Cat and the Hatchet premieres October 31, 2026.