If you don’t know the Grinch, this article is for you. He’s the most famous green-furred curmudgeon from the mind of Dr. Seuss. He hates the holiday so much that he stole it from Who-Ville’s joyful citizens. Despite his anti-Christmas attitude, he’s become a beloved icon of the holidays. He’s also starred in three memorable films that annually return to television. However, which is the best of the trio is anyone’s guess.
3. 1966’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Let’s kick things off with the television special that started it all. It may be in third place, but it’s far from horrible. Because Chuck Jones produced it, the 1966 television special is animated beautifully. It’s also full of memorable songs like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The animated special even conveys Christmas’ true meaning without any needless filler. And lastly, Boris Karloff brings it all together with his unmatched narration and voice acting.
Despite being the original, it doesn’t mean it’s completely perfect. Most of the downsides lie within the character of the Grinch. He steals Christmas because of the noise that Who-Ville makes during the holiday. This decision presents him more as a two-dimensional villainous sociopath or a stereotypical grumpy neighbor. He’s there to ruin everyone’s good time without any story behind him. The only upside is he fits the antagonist role with little trouble.
2. Illumination Reimagines The Grinch
The 2018 animated movie by Illumination starring Benedict Cumberbatch comes in second place. It takes everything from the original short film and improves it. For one, the Grinch has a backstory and a reason to hate Christmas. He spent his childhood in loneliness, which worsened around the holidays. He’s also not-so-stereotypical, displaying compassion and gratitude toward his pet dog, Max. The movie even depicts him as an engineering genius, constructing various gadgets for his heist.
Another prominent improvement from the original is the presence of a side plot. It stars Cindy Lou-Who, the little girl from the original book and animated short film. Instead of a momentary side character, Cindy is more of a secondary protagonist. She is a daughter who wishes to see her struggling mother be happy. Cindy’s inclusion also correlates with another key improvement within this film: an expanded character roster. This alteration allows the Grinch to interact with the world and showcase his personality.
Drawbacks of the 2018 Flick
Even if the 2018 movie improved the original, there are still some issues. The Grinch’s desire to steal Christmas falls more in with the misery-loves-company trope. It also stems from a desire to purge his mind of unwanted and painful memories. He’s needlessly hurting the Whos in his selfish attempt to make himself happy. Another thing to realize is the Whos haven’t done anything to warrant such hostility. Throughout the movie, they’re entirely kind and courteous towards him, even when he’s nasty.
Unfortunately, Cindy’s B-plot is a principal drawback because it sometimes doesn’t fit. She and the Grinch have limited interactions, so they don’t play off each other. However, she does get a point for unintentionally helping the grump overcome his emotional trauma. And their contrasting stories help showcase the light and dark side of the holidays. Still, it feels like Cindy should have gotten a stand-alone movie.
1. The First Remake from 2000
The gold goes to the live-action Grinch adaptation with Jim Carrey. This film possesses everything the 2018 version does, except it’s much better. Like the recent flick, the titular character receives a backstory explaining his prominent Christmas aversion. The only difference is his seething anger and hate are valid and run deeper. He was cruelly humiliated by his classmates as a child during a holiday school party. He went on a rage-fueled rampage afterward, causing everyone to see him as a monster.
This movie painted the Grinch from a stereotypical antagonist to a sympathetic anti-hero. You cannot help siding with him throughout the flick, especially during his heist. Whether on purpose or not, it also carries an anti-bullying message everyone should learn. Another significant change utilized by the 2018 version was the grump being a mechanical genius. He assembled his flying sleigh and the countless whimsical gadgets in his cave.
Jim Carrey’s Cartoonish Portrayal
Like 2018’s The Grinch, Cindy is a secondary main character. The only difference here is the stories following her and the Grinch correlate. She is brave and compassionate and possesses a drive to learn more. After a brief encounter with the grump, she sets out to learn everything about him. Her kindness is the catalyst that helps him realize the true meaning of Christmas. In other words, she adds to the story and feels like she has a purpose.
Of course, the Grinch’s personality changed to help him stand out from his 1966 predecessor. He’s a chaotic, grime-loving anti-Who with a fondness for villainy. The best moments involved him, thanks to Carrey’s expert comedic timing and delivery. Another aspect of the 2000 adaptation is it felt like a natural progression. It’s like they made this movie with lovers of the animated original in mind. It contains the whimsy of Dr. Seuss but feels elevated for older audiences.
Critiques Concerning the Winner
Despite being the best Grinch movie, the 2000 remake is not without some minor issues. The most obvious is the theft of Christmas doesn’t come until the last part. Audiences have to wait until the film carries out its intended plot. Another critique is it has adult humor and jokes parents might find inappropriate. Luckily, they’ll go right over kids’ heads, so there’s nothing to worry about. There’s very little to say against this film, securing its place as Number One.
Final Evaluation and Thoughts
With many pros and few cons, the 2000 live-action Grinch movie is the best. Its story and titular character feel more fleshed out than the other two. Due to Carrey’s comedic brilliance, the humor is on point and memorable. It takes the original animated short film and expands it into a cinematic masterpiece. Of course, all three iterations of this classic holiday have good qualities. Watch them all and formulate your own opinions while waiting for next Christmas!
