Title image: @ronyahmononoke
In short: The Grinch has been the star of a Dr. Seuss children's book since 1957. He first came to the screen in 1966 as a 25-minute animated special, which celebrates its 60th birthday on 18 December 2026, then in 2000 with Jim Carrey and in 2018 as an animated film with Benedict Cumberbatch. For families with kids, the 2018 film fits best; if you like it short and close to the book, go for the 1966 version. A sequel with Jim Carrey is in development.
I'll admit it straight away: I am a huge Grinch fan. The Dr. Seuss book sits on my shelf, the older films are saved in my streaming library and Christmas is the best thing ever for me. That is not a contradiction. The Grinch doesn't hate Christmas nearly as much as everyone thinks. He just shows, very honestly, how much can go wrong over the holidays. And when the magic finally gets him in the end, he loves the season as much as I do.
And this year there is even something to celebrate: on 18 December 2026, the 1966 animated special turns sixty. Without it, the Grinch would not be green, but more on that below. Here you'll find out what's behind the book, how the three adaptations differ and which one belongs in your December. Everything for the right look is waiting in our Grinch merch.
The book: Dr. Seuss and his grumpy friend
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" was published in 1957. A German translation only followed in 2000, when the live-action film hit cinemas.
What I find fascinating is how much of Dr. Seuss is in the Grinch. He called him his "sour friend", and in the book the Grinch complains that he has put up with the Christmas fuss for 53 years. That was exactly Dr. Seuss's age at the time. Later he even drove a car with the licence plate "GRINCH".
Something many people don't know: in the book, the Grinch isn't green at all. He only got his famous colour in 1966 from animation director Chuck Jones, so he has been green for 60 years now. My favourite part of the book, though, is the rhymes. Dr. Seuss tells the whole story in verse, which makes reading it aloud so much fun. By the way, my favourite Christmas film "Christmas with the Kranks" shows how much the book belongs to the season: Jamie Lee Curtis reads it to children there.
Which Grinch film is right for you?
1966: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The birthday boy: on 18 December 1966, the special aired on US television for the first time. At around 25 minutes, Chuck Jones's animated film is the shortest version and the one closest to the book. Horror legend Boris Karloff voices the Grinch, but the song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" is sung by Thurl Ravenscroft. Perfect if you love the book or only have half an hour between baking cookies and opening presents.
2000: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Ron Howard turns the short book into a 105-minute live-action film and invents a backstory for it. The Grinch grows up with a Who couple, falls for Martha May Whovier at school and gets laughed at in front of the whole class. Cindy Lou Who is six here instead of "no more than two" as in the book and plays a much bigger role. At first, Jim Carrey spent around eight hours a day in make-up, which won the film the Oscar for best make-up. Ideal if you like slapstick and Jim Carrey at his best.
2018: The Grinch. The animated film by Illumination, the studio behind the Minions, runs 82 minutes and is rated suitable from age 6 in Germany. New additions include the chubby reindeer Fred, the overly cheerful neighbour Bricklebaum and a Cindy Lou who wants to catch Santa to help her single mum. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the Grinch in the original, Otto Waalkes in the German version. With more than 500 million dollars worldwide, it earned more than the live-action film.
2022: The Mean One. An unofficial horror parody in which the green guy turns into a slasher. Maybe fun for fans of trashy horror, definitely the wrong choice for family movie night.
My favourite: The Grinch from 2018
As much as I like every version, my favourite is the animated film. A big reason is the music, because "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" from the film is one of my favourite Christmas songs.
Where can you stream the Grinch?
According to JustWatch (as of 9 November 2026), the 2000 and 2018 films are available in Germany with a subscription on Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and MagentaTV; the live-action film is also on Joyn Plus and the animated film is on Joyn with ads. The 1966 special can currently only be rented or bought. Since offers like to change before Christmas, it's worth checking shortly before movie night.
Is there a new Grinch film coming?
In June 2026, Universal and Imagine Entertainment announced that they are developing a sequel to the 2000 film. Ron Howard is set to direct again and, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Jim Carrey is returning. There's no release date yet. Will he really sit through hours of green make-up again? I can't wait to find out.
How to bring the Grinch home
If you want to look the part while watching, put on the Christmas Grinch knitted sweater, an ugly Christmas sweater with the grinning Grinch in a Santa hat. On the tree, the Grinch Christmas tree ornament looks great.
Right next to it hangs the Jack and Sally Christmas tree ornament. The two sit together on a gravestone, which looks wonderfully odd on a Christmas tree.
Jack Skellington: the Grinch from Halloween Town
The Grinch isn't the only one who tried to take over Christmas. In "The Nightmare Before Christmas", Jack Skellington discovers the holiday and decides to run it himself. That ends in chaos too, before everything turns out fine.
If you can't decide between spooky season and the holidays, get the Jack Skellington knitted sweater and the Jack Skellington mug. I've collected more about Jack in the post on The Nightmare Before Christmas from Halloween to Christmas, and everything else is in our Nightmare Before Christmas collection.
For little and big Grinches
Do you know someone who rolls their eyes in December just as much as the Grinch before his change of heart? Then it's time for gifts with a wink.
Wednesday Addams would probably be the first to leave the room during Christmas carols. Her Little Storm Cloud glasses are made for grumpy mulled wine, along with the Black Is My Happy Colour T-shirt. If you like it cute but in a bad mood, put Grumpy Pikachu or Grumpy Kuromi on the shelf. You'll find more ideas in my post on Secret Santa gifts for fans.
Grinch FAQ
How many Grinch films are there?
There are three official adaptations: the 1966 animated special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!", the 2000 live-action film with Jim Carrey and the 2018 animated film "The Grinch". On top of that comes the unofficial 2022 horror parody "The Mean One".
Which Grinch film is suitable for children?
The 2018 animated film is the best choice for children; it is rated from age 6 in Germany and runs 82 minutes. For the very little ones, the 25-minute 1966 special is a good alternative.
How old is the Grinch?
The Dr. Seuss book was published in 1957. The first Grinch film, the animated special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!", celebrates its 60th birthday on 18 December 2026.
Why is the Grinch green?
The Grinch only became green in the 1966 animated special. Director Chuck Jones gave him the colour; in the Dr. Seuss book he isn't green.
Who voices the Grinch?
In the 2018 animated film, Benedict Cumberbatch voices the Grinch in English. In the German version it's Otto Waalkes.
Where can I stream the Grinch?
According to JustWatch (as of 9 November 2026), the 2000 and 2018 films are available in Germany with a subscription on Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, among others. The 1966 special can be rented or bought.
Is there a second Grinch film with Jim Carrey?
A sequel is in development. Universal and Imagine Entertainment announced it in June 2026, and Jim Carrey is reportedly returning. There's no release date yet.
Now: off to Whoville
Green or red, grump or fan: with the Grinch, Christmas really begins. Everything for your movie night is waiting in our Grinch merch.
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