How the Grinch Stole Christmas

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas

1967

25m

Holiday

Kids & Family

Animation

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Tomatometer

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100%

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28 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

This made-for-TV Christmas special is a classic. Based on a Dr. Seuss book, it is about a Christmas-hating Grinch who wants to make everyone as miserable on Christmas as he is. The poor, small-hearted Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas through the loving Whos in Whoville.

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Critics Consensus

How the Grinch Stole Christmas brings an impressive array of talent to bear on an adaptation that honors a classic holiday story -- and has rightfully become a yuletide tradition of its own.

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Jamie Righetti

IndieWire

The story might be familiar, but watching The Grinch tiptoe around to "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" always brings a surge of fuzzy nostalgia every Christmas season that never seems to get old.

Nov 30, 2018

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AV Club Staff

AV Club

The special works because of its surprisingly sentimental climax, one that comes by its emotion honestly, as the Grinch realizes the Christmas spirit is indomitable, no matter what he does to stop it.

Nov 21, 2018

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TIME Magazine

This lusty, garishly colored, good-hearted cartoon was a wonderful, awful idea.

Aug 31, 2008

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It benefits from Boris Karloff’s double duty as the Narrator and the Grinch (the actor would win a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children when it was transferred to LP).

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 30, 2024

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Laura Bradley

The Daily Beast

Simply put, a life without this holiday classic would’ve stink, stank, stunk.

Dec 5, 2022

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Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

This a classic cartoon that is straight to the point. I love this.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 30, 2021

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Vincent W

Christmas cult classic, no notes

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

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Cade H.

This film is the de facto Christmas film for many people across the world. It’s wholesome story, iconic characters and timeless animation style make this a film people watch as a yearly tradition come Christmas time. This, in conjunction with its brevity, make it appealing to both kids and adults alike.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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HameZz O

If you dislike this movie you probably dislike Christmas too.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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Kevin P

The perfect Christmas special and perfect Dr Seuss adaptation that hits all the major points with the music, animation, voice acting, comedy, and genuinely heartfelt life lesson about overcoming cynicism and commercialism to find the true spirit of the holidays.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/25

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Kaito K

Omg This Was Literally My whole childhood I watched this movie On VHS tape every Christmas and Despite It turning about 58 years old now It is Still A timeless classic best Christmas movie ever I highly Recommend it Overall 99%🍅99/100 Perfeact for whole family

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

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Gavin L

Scary and way to short hate the movie

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

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Chuck Jones

Director

Boris Karloff

Voice

June Foray

Voice

Thurl Ravenscroft

Voice

Chuck Jones

Producer

Dr. Seuss

Producer

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Synopsis

This made-for-TV Christmas special is a classic. Based on a Dr. Seuss book, it is about a Christmas-hating Grinch who wants to make everyone as miserable on Christmas as he is. The poor, small-hearted Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas through the loving Whos in Whoville.

Director: Chuck Jones
Producer: Chuck Jones, Dr. Seuss
Genre: Holiday, Kids & Family, Animation
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 24, 2018
Runtime: 25m

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