How the Grinch Stole Christmas

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas

PG

In Theaters Dec 12

1h 45m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Fantasy

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

49%

Tomatometer

143 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).

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In Theaters Dec 12, 2025

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Critics Consensus

Jim Carrey shines as the Grinch. Unfortunately, it's not enough to save this movie. You'd be better off watching the TV cartoon.

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Ron Howard

Director

Jim Carrey

Grinch

Jeffrey Tambor

Mayor of Whoville

Christine Baranski

Martha May Who-vier

Bill Irwin

Lou Lou Who

Molly Shannon

Betty Lou Who

Nathan Rabin

AV Club

Director Ron Howard aims for the beautifully stylized mayhem of Frank Tashlin and Tim Burton, but he comes closer to the clamorous, headache-inducing visual overkill of Joel Schumacher's Batman movies.

Nov 6, 2019

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Director Ron Howard usually lets his comedies gestate organically, but his Grinch is frantic from start to finish.

Nov 29, 2018

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Live-action version of classic has some crude, scary moments.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

Jessica Gonzales

Geek Vibes Nation

A perfect blend of holiday cheer, warmth, humor, and pleasing aesthetics. It has a lot of layers to it that are unfortunately glossed over. The cast is insanely good, and all of the performances are incredibly strong.

Jul 17, 2025

Full Review

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

To this day, How the Grinch Stole Christmas stands as one of the most inspired and truly magical holiday texts.

Rated: A

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

With a little more polish and a lot more restraint this could have been a holiday treat. Instead it’s a repetitive and sometimes laborious exercise...

Rated: 2/5

Aug 21, 2022

Full Review

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Meena

Hands down best Christmas movie! Jim Carrey's performance is next level! Hilarious, heartfelt and over all feel good classic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

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Nathan

My brother said that it’s his all time favorite Jim Carrey movie grinch as his favorite Christmas movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

Alex

Wasn’t able to see the movie because of the movie theatre i went to.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/17/24

Full Review

Phyllis

Jim Carrey is The Grinch! Accept no substitutes! Great photography, costumes, make up music.. 5 for 5

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/04/23

Full Review

Blue

The movie started late and the movie started like 45 minutes in.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/04/23

Full Review

Linda Vaughn

We loved the Grinch stole Christmas movie. Nice to see it on the big screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/04/23

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).

Director: Ron Howard
Producer: Brian Grazer
Screenwriter: Dr. Seuss, Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Imagine Entertainment
Rating: PG (Crude Humor)
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 2000, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $260.4M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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