Grafdigger's Cage has a static ability that reads: 'Creature cards in graveyards and libraries can't enter the battlefield.' This is a replacement effect governed by CR 614.1b, which modifies how or whether an event occurs. When a reanimation spell like Reanimate or Animate Dead would put a creature card from a graveyard onto the battlefield, Grafdigger's Cage replaces that event and prevents the creature from entering.
Because the cage's effect is a continuous replacement effect, it applies at the moment the creature card would enter the battlefield. The spell itself still resolves — it just fails to move the card as instructed. The card stays in the graveyard, and any other effects on the spell (like life loss from Reanimate) still apply normally since those are separate from the 'put onto the battlefield' instruction.
This applies to all reanimation effects regardless of source: spells, activated abilities, triggered abilities, or any other effect that would bring a creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield. As long as Grafdigger's Cage is on the battlefield when the effect tries to resolve, the replacement stops the move (CR 614.6).
Example: You cast Reanimate targeting your opponent's Griselbrand in their graveyard. Your opponent controls Grafdigger's Cage. Reanimate resolves, but Griselbrand cannot enter the battlefield due to the Cage. Griselbrand remains in the graveyard, and you still lose life equal to Griselbrand's converted mana cost (7) from Reanimate's effect.
Note: Grafdigger's Cage does NOT prevent tokens from entering the battlefield or creatures entering from zones other than graveyards and libraries (e.g., exile via Sneak Attack is unaffected).
Unofficial fan resource — not affiliated with or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast. Answers are AI-generated estimates grounded in the Comprehensive Rules and are not a substitute for an official judge. Verify anything match-critical.