The 2003 Mike Myers film The Cat In the Hat has been surprisingly relevant in 2026, and now, there's allegedly a serial killer out there based on Myers' take on the titular character.

Reports that a serial killer has been stalking the U.K. and Ireland dressed as the Cat In the Hat have been going viral for the past few weeks, but now it's been revealed that it's all an AI-generated hoax.

So, why are people still freaking out about a so-called Cat In the Hat killer, and what is the "Cat In the Hat" trend? Here's what you need to know.

Is The 'Cat In The Hat' Serial Killer Real?

Reports of someone stalking the streets of Ireland dressed as Mike Myers' Cat In the Hat first started surfacing online around August 18th, 2026.

Purportedly, the claim was first made on Snapchat and spread to sites including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram over the following days.

These photos came with claims that the man in the suit was a serial killer and should be avoided if spotted at night.

The reports quickly spread from Ireland to the U.K. as more images of the alleged Cat In the Hat killer went viral online.

It got to the point where Gardaí, the police in Ireland, stepped in and investigated the claims. Ultimately, authorities determined that there was no Cat In the Hat killer, and that the images going viral online were actually AI-generated.

How Is The 'Cat In The Hat' Serial Killer Used In Memes?

While the Cat In the Hat killer images are AI, and the police confirmed there is no Cat In the Hat killer, this didn't stop social media users from continuing the hoax.

Even after it was announced fake, new AI-generated videos and images of someone stalking around in a Cat In the Hat suit surfaced online to keep the claim going.

The hoax and trend are likely inspired by two things: A series of memes known as the "Dark Cat In the Hat trend," and the recent auction for Mike Myers' authentic screen-worn Cat In the Hat costume from the live-action movie.

Now, some people are even taking the trend past AI and dressing in real Cat In the Hat costumes to add another layer to the spooky trend.

Some are also comparing the trend to a 2016 event in which creepy clowns were being sighted in the U.S.

In recent days, threats related to the unnerving trend have now been reported in the U.S., with one student in Kentucky and another in Colorado even being arrested as the media reports that the trend is "causing alarm nationwide."

What Are Some More 'Cat In The Hat' Serial Killer Memes?

@bainne_maru The cat in the hat #irishcreators #fyp #irishhumour #irishcomedy #ireland ♬ original sound – Degenerate

@isecrets4 No because staff the is going on bro I am not dealing with seeing this at 11pm fork a random number #tryingtogoviral #fypシ゚viral__ #catinthehatscary # #catinthehat ♬ original sound – •

@nataliireynoldss This is terrifying #catinthehat #scary ♬ original sound – Natalie Reynolds

@catinthehat0839 im coming for u #catinthehat #scary ♬ original sound – catinthehat

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For the full history of the Cat In the Hat Serial Killer Trend, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.