How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Play trailer

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

PG

2000

1h 45m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Fantasy

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

146 Reviews

60%

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).

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Nathan Rabin

AV Club

Nov 6, 2019

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.

Go to Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Nov 29, 2018

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

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 24, 2010

4/5

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

Go to Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Dec 11, 2025

... GRINCH stories have done little to excite my imagination. That said, one can very easily appreciate the technically aspects that apply to the creation of the Grinch figure in live action, the world of the Whos, the art direction, and set design.

Go to Full Review

Tina Kakadelis

Beyond the Cinerama Dome

Nov 24, 2025

In this restored, 4K Ultra HD format, How the Grinch Stole Christmas feels more alive than ever.

Go to Full Review

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Nov 10, 2025

3.5/5

What makes this adaptation work, in any way, shape, or form, is the brilliant comedy of Carrey.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

gil

Jun 26, 2026

Still the GOAT grinch.

See more

Connor

Feb 27, 2026

Always a favorite of mine. Really happy I got to see it in theaters again.

See more

adam szmatula

Jan 8, 2026

hilarious movie jim Carey is hilarious as the grinch

See more

Cesar

Dec 26, 2025

Great Christmas movie for the whole family!🎅🤙

See more

Jermain J

Dec 21, 2025

The Grinch is still a fun movie after all these years. Some of the jokes don’t as well anymore but it still provides the laughs.

See more

Clyde Jr

Dec 18, 2025

That was probably my first movie I ever watched in theaters when I was 2 years old and I am very happy that I watched it again in theaters because it honestly holds a special place in my heart.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Jim Carrey's Grinch Didn't Need to Go THAT Hard

7:41

Now Playing

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - What's Christmas Really About?

2:58

Now Playing

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - His Heart Grows Three Sizes

3:00

Now Playing

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - The Grinch Finally Cares

2:59

Now Playing

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

2:32

Now Playing

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - Oh, the Whomanity!

2:29

Now Playing

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - I Hate Christmas

2:54

Now Playing

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - Kids Today

2:13

Now Playing

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - Baby Grinch

2:24

Now Playing

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - The Grinch and Whovenile Delinquents

2:49

Now Playing

View more videos

Elf

85%

79%

Elf

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Elf

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat

10%

59%

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat

Watchlist

Hocus Pocus

42%

72%

Hocus Pocus

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hocus Pocus

Jack Frost

19%

41%

Jack Frost

Watchlist

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

95%

91%

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Weekend Box Office: Zootopia 2 Becomes Highest-Grossing American Film of the Year

18 Rotten Christmas Movies We Love

“Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong” About… How the Grinch Stole Christmas

View more photos

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): $265.3M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings