The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (also known as The Cat in the Hat Gets Grinched, or The Grinch Vs. the Cat in the Hat) is a 1982 American Emmy Award–winning animated musical television special and crossover starring The Cat in the Hat and The Grinch. Completed in 1981, it premiered on May 20, 1982, on ABC and would be DePatie and Freleng's final Dr. Seuss special and the only Dr. Seuss cartoon by Marvel Productions. The songs were written by Sesame Street composer Joe Raposo.