Depatie-Freleng Enterprises turned "The Lorax" into an animated short film that premiered on American television network CBS on February 14, 1972. Directed by Hawley Pratt, it featured voice talent from Bob Holt, Eddie Albert, and Athena Lorde. The film was made in the same style as many other classic Dr. Seuss short films, including "The Cat in the Hat" and "Dr. Seuss on the Loose," both of which were also directed by Pratt. The music to the film was composed by Dean Elliott. Dr. Seuss himself rewrote the book for the film, and the script is delivered in the typical Seuss rhyming fashion.

The words of the film version differ slightly from the book, and several references relevant to the time are featured in the film, including a sly remark about the pollution in Lake Erie that was removed from reairings of the film due to it being considered too inflammatory. Another reference to the pollution in Weehawken, New Jersey was not removed, and it is debated whether Dr. Seuss was singling out Weehawken and New Jersey in particular or simply liked the sound of the town's name, which he used in several other books.

"The Lorax" is available on DVD as part of several Dr. Seuss sets, including the Dr. Seuss sing-alongs. It can also be purchased as its own main feature on a disc that also includes "Pontoffel Pock & His Magic Piano." It is not rated.