How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Rotten Tomatoes

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

PG

Released Nov 17, 2000

1h 45m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Fantasy

Comedy

List

49%

Tomatometer

144 Reviews

58%

Audience Score

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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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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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

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

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

Rated: 4/5

Dec 24, 2010

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

Cory Woodroof

615 Film

Gaspar Noe by means of Lars von Trier with John Waters, David Lynch, Harmony Korine, Nicolas Winding Refn, Bobcat Goldthwait, Rob Zombie, Darren Aronofsky, Uwe Boll, the Farrellys and Tim Story serving as creative consultants.

Jun 25, 2022

Full Review

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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

Candace

So much fun and the people that were there with me were so nice and funny

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

Charlie (Chaz)

It's an instant classic. It always was. The film has so much going for it. The art direction, production design, costumes, makeup, for example, all add to the Seussian nature of the film. The performances were top-notch from all involved. However, it was Jim Carrey's masterful performance as the miserable Mr. Grinch that stole the show. Above all his over-the-top antics, there lies a very damaged character underneath. There were times when the film was flat out funny, sometimes sweet and a bit dramatic. The score by James Horner is stellar. One of my all time favorites. There was nothing I disliked about the film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/22

Full Review

Google

Jim Carrey cracks me up. Great movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/15/22

Full Review

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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

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

7:41

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

2:58

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

3:00

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

2:59

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

2:32

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

2:29

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

2:54

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - Kids Today

2:13

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Official Clip - Baby Grinch

2:24

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

2:49

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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 3, 2023
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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