(Credits: Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Pictures / Netflix)

There is something bizarre happening on Netflix. A film once slammed by critics is now sneaking its way up the streaming charts. And guess what? It stars Mike Myers dressed as a talking cat. Yes, Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat is somehow trending again against all odds.

Let us rewind a little. This movie was not loved initially. In fact, it was roasted, and critics called it creepy, whereas parents called it chaotic. Dr Seuss’s own estate was horrified. After watching this, they banned all future live-action versions of his books. That is how The Cat in the Hat became infamous. It was not just a flop. It was a cultural cautionary tale.

And yet, here we are in 2025, and the film is back on Netflix’s top ten. Suddenly, people cannot stop watching it. So, what changed? For one, nostalgia has kicked in. The kids who once found the movie weirdly fascinating are now grown-ups. They are rewatching it, sharing it, and laughing at it in a way that feels more affectionate than mocking. There is a comfort in watching something unhinged, especially when the world outside is a little too serious.

Also, Mike Myers. Say what you want about the man in a cat suit, but Myers commits. His performance is full-throttle chaos. He breaks the fourth wall, he juggles accents, and he dances, sings, and causes absolute mayhem. It is not polished, but it is bold. And in today’s age of safe, formulaic content, boldness has its own charm.

Visually, the film is stunning. The set looks like a candy-coloured fever dream. The costumes are loud, but the jokes are louder. It is all very extra, but maybe that is the point. Maybe the film never tried to be subtle. Maybe it wanted to be a wild ride from start to finish.

Of course, that does not mean it has aged perfectly. Some of the humour is awkward, and some scenes feel like a sensory overload. But here is the twist: people are not watching it for perfection. They are watching it for the mess, for the nostalgia, for the meme potential.

What this comeback also reveals is how the internet reshapes a film’s afterlife. The Cat in the Hat has found a second wind on platforms like TikTok and Reddit. People are clipping its most chaotic moments. They are reacting to Myers’ line deliveries. They are rediscovering scenes that felt “too much” in 2003 and finding them hilarious now. It is no longer about whether the movie was good; it is about how much it makes you feel something. Even if that something is “mild horror mixed with weird joy”.

It is the kind of film that makes you ask, “How did this get made?” But also, “Why can’t I stop watching it?” It is a cinematic train wreck with glitter on top. And right now, audiences are eating it up.

So, is The Cat in the Hat a good movie? Debatable. But is it entertaining? Absolutely. And in the Netflix age, entertainment is king. Sometimes, the most unexpected things crawl back into relevance. Sometimes, all it takes is a little chaos and a lot of nostalgia. And just like that, Mike Myers is back on your screen. In a giant striped hat. Making us all a little confused. And maybe a little entertained.