Jon M. Chu Takes on Dr. Seuss: ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go’ Hits Theaters in 2028

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Even though Jon M. Chu didn’t receive an Oscar nomination for Best Director, he’s currently basking in success as Wicked garnered ten Academy Award nominations. The sequel, titled Wicked: For Good, is set to premiere in November 2025, and Chu has already scheduled his next project – an animated movie musical adaptation of Oh, the Places You’ll Go from Dr. Seuss’s world, which won’t reach theaters until 2028.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Warner Bros. has scheduled the release of the animated film “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” on March 17, 2028. This project will see the collaboration of co-directors Chu and Jill Culton, who previously brought us 2006’s “Open Season” and 2019’s “Abominable”. The film is being produced by the esteemed J.J. Abrams through his production company Bad Robot, under their first-look deal with Warner Bros. To top it off, the Academy Award-winning songwriting duo, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, known for their work on “La La Land”, “The Greatest Showman”, and “Dear Evan Hansen”, will be penning original songs for this musical animation.

As a movie buff, I can’t help but share my excitement about “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” a masterpiece penned by none other than Dr. Seuss, or Theodor Geisel, in his final years before he passed away in 1991. This remarkable book, published in January 1990, takes readers on an exhilarating exploration of life’s ups and downs, offering insights into the challenges, triumphs, and unwritten adventures that lie ahead.

With a unique second-person narrative, it subtly invites us to embark on this journey alongside the protagonist, leaving us pondering the great adventures life has in store for each of us. Over the years, this book has become a cherished gift for young minds transitioning from kindergarten through college upon graduation.

Interestingly enough, plans for a feature film adaptation began soon after its release, but progress was slow. Fast forward to 2021, and director Chu officially took the helm of this long-awaited project, bringing us one step closer to experiencing “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” on the big screen!

Oh, the Places Dr. Seuss and the Box Office Will Go

2028 marks the year for two upcoming Warner Bros. animated films, with “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” being one and “Dynamic Duo” being the other. The DCU film, “Dynamic Duo,” will focus on both Dick Grayson and Jason Todd taking up the role of Robin. Although 2028 may appear distant, it’s due to the extended timeframe required for creating an animated movie, usually around three to four years.

As a movie enthusiast peering into the future, I can’t help but notice that although we are still three years away from 2028, studios have already started plotting their 2027 lineup. Marvel Studios, in particular, has reserved dates for three of their upcoming films in 2028 – February 18th, May 5th, and November 10th. These could potentially be the introduction of a new chapter in the X-Men saga.

In 2018, Warner Animation Group established a creative alliance with Seuss Enterprises, leading to the production of the relatively overlooked animated series “Green Eggs and Ham” on Netflix from 2019 to 2022. Before their release of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”, Warner Bros. Animation plans to debut “The Cat in the Hat,” featuring Bill Harder as the main character, on March 6, 2026.

The most recent movie adapted from a Dr. Seuss book was “The Grinch” by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, released in 2018. However, bringing Dr. Seuss’s work to the silver screen has historically posed challenges for some directors. Yet, Chu is proving his skill after the success of Wicked, gathering a talented group of artists to breathe life into this cherished tale on the big screen.

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2025-01-29 00:03