Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a 2000 American Christmas comedy film directed by Ron Howard and written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman, loosely based on the 1957 children's book of the same name by Dr. Seuss. It was the first of two Dr. Seuss books to be adapted into a live-action feature film, and the second adaptation of the book following the 1966 animated TV special. Narrated by Anthony Hopkins, the film stars Jim Carrey as the Grinch, a misanthropic green creature living on Mount Crumpit, who despises Christmas and the joyful residents of Whoville and sets out to sabotage their holiday celebration. The supporting cast includes Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, Taylor Momsen and Molly Shannon.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas premiered in Los Angeles on November 8, 2000, and was released theatrically in the United States on November 17 by Universal Pictures. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but was a commercial success, grossing $351 million on a budget of $123 million, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2000 domestically, the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2000 worldwide, and the fourth-highest-grossing holiday film of all time behind Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). At the 73rd Academy Awards, the film won Best Makeup and Hairstyling, in addition to earning nominations for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. Carrey's performance earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
As of 2026, a sequel is in development, with Carrey returning and Howard set to direct.
Plot
The Grinch, a bitter, grouchy green creature who lives in a cave on Mount Crumpit, hates Christmas and plans to ruin it for the Whos of Whoville. After a chance encounter with the Grinch at the Whoville post office, a little Who girl named Cindy Lou Who learns from several adults that the Grinch was raised by an elderly female Who couple. In school, the Grinch was infatuated with his classmate, Martha May Whovier. After the class bully, Augustus MayWho, mocked him for his hairy face, the Grinch tried to shave and injured himself. When everyone in class, except for Martha, laughed at him, the Grinch snapped and ran away to live on Mount Crumpit.
Determined to try to make things right, Cindy nominates the Grinch as the town's Holiday Cheermeister; the townsfolk agree, but MayWho, now the Mayor, and his aide Whobris, object. Cindy personally travels to Mount Crumpit to invite the Grinch to Whoville. The Grinch initially refuses, but ultimately decides to go after he learns Martha will be there. At the ceremony, the Grinch participates in various events, and actually begins to enjoy himself and the Whos' company, who likewise begin to warm up to him. However, MayWho gives the Grinch an electric razor as a present, deliberately reminding him of his childhood trauma. To further humiliate the Grinch, MayWho proposes to Martha in front of everyone, offering her a new car as an engagement gift, but the Grinch scratches its paintwork, accuses the Whos of valuing Christmas only for its materialism, and wreaks havoc before returning to his cave.
Learning that the Whos are still planning to celebrate, the Grinch hatches a plan to steal all the Whos' Christmas presents, decorations, and food while they sleep. Disguising himself as Santa Claus, and his dog Max as a reindeer, the Grinch descends into Whoville on a high-tech sleigh and starts by going into Cindy Lou Who's house. Cindy mistakes him for Santa Claus, and the Grinch manages to convince her he is just taking the tree to the North Pole for repairs before sending her to bed with a glass of water. After she goes to bed, the Grinch strips the entire town of its Christmas decorations, stuffing everything into a giant sack and driving it to the top of Mount Crumpit.
On Christmas morning, the Whos wake up to discover the theft, and MayWho accuses Cindy of causing the Grinch to ruin Christmas. Cindy's father, postmaster Lou Lou Who, defends her, reminding the town that Christmas is about more than gifts and decorations. Inspired by his words, the Whos come together and sing Christmas carols, while Cindy sets out to find the Grinch.
As the Grinch prepares to push the sleigh of presents and decorations off the top of Mount Crumpit, he hears the Whos singing below and realizes that his plan has failed. Struck by the true meaning of Christmas, the Grinch's heart grows three sizes, and he becomes overcome with emotions before noticing the sleigh is about to slip off the mountain into the gorge below, with Cindy atop it. In a feat of strength, the Grinch lifts the sleigh and saves Cindy and the town's Christmas decor.
Upon returning to Whoville, the Grinch gives back the stolen gifts and decorations and apologizes. He surrenders to the police, but they let him go, despite MayWho's objections, and Martha immediately returns MayWho's engagement ring and professes her love for the Grinch. After joining the Whos for carol singing, the Grinch allows them to hold their traditional Christmas feast in his cave.
Cast Jim Carrey as Grinch, an eccentric, short-tempered, misanthropic, cynical, and scheming green-furred creature, who despises Christmas. Carrey accepted the lead role when he heard a tape of a kid's choir singing the song You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Josh Ryan Evans as 8-year-old Grinch in his final film role before his death in 2002 Kelley as Max, the Grinch's mistreated pet dog and best friend. To play Max, six dogs in total were used. The main among them was a dog named Kelley who was rescued from a pound by Ron Howard. The other dogs had their hair cut and dyed to resemble Kelley. Frank Welker provides the vocal effects of Max. Welker had previously provided the vocal effects of Max in The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat. Jeffrey Tambor as Augustus MayWho, Whoville's loathsome, self-centered, prejudiced, and judgmental mayor, who will go to great lengths to get what he wants. He was also the reason the Grinch hated Christmas. Ben Bookbinder as 8-year-old Augustus, who bullies the Grinch into running away so that he can have Martha for himself Christine Baranski as Martha May Whovier, a wealthy socialite who secretly has feelings for the Grinch and loathes Augustus for his cruel behavior Landry Allbright as 8-year-old Martha, the only one in the Grinch's school who did not make fun of him, as she had already begun to have a crush on him Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, Lou and Betty's kindhearted daughter who wonders if Whoville has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. In the film, she is six years old, while in the 1957 book and the 1966 TV special, she is "no more than two." Bill Irwin as Postmaster Lou Lou Who, Betty's husband and Cindy, Drew and Stu's father Clint Howard as Whobris, the mayor's sycophantic aide and servant Reid Kirchenbauer as 8-year-old Whobris, who took part in bullying the Grinch at school Mindy Sterling as Clair Nella Who, one of the Grinch's two adoptive mothers Rachel Winfree as Rose Who, one of the Grinch's two adoptive mothers Molly Shannon as Betty Lou Who, Lou's wife and Cindy, Stu and Drew's mother Jeremy Howard as Drew Lou Who, one of the mischievous sons of Lou and Betty, twin brother of Stu and older brother of Cindy T. J. Thyne as Stu Lou Who, the other mischievous son, twin brother of Drew and older brother of Cindy Jim Meskimen as Officer Lihan Who, the chief of police Mary Stein as Miss Rue Who, the Grinch's school teacher who later becomes Cindy's teacher Deep Roy as Post Officer Clerk Rance Howard as Elderly Timekeeper Verne Troyer as Band Member Bryce Dallas Howard as Surprised Who Anthony Hopkins as Narrator. Hopkins recorded the entire narration for the film in a single day.
Production Development Before his death in 1991, Dr. Seuss consistently declined offers to sell the film rights to his books. However, following his death, his widow Audrey Geisel began entertaining several merch deals, such as clothing lines, accessories, and CDs. In July 1998, her agents made a significant announcement: the film rights to How the Grinch Stole Christmas would be auctioned. The terms were stringent—suitors had to be willing to pay $5 million upfront, 4% of the box-office gross, 50% of merchandising revenue, 70% of book tie-in profits, and music-related income. In addition, any actor considered for the role of the Grinch had to be of a similar stature to Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams or Jim Carrey. Only directors or writers who had previously earned at least $1 million on a previous project were eligible to participate.
Several studios and filmmakers pitched their vision for the live-action Grinch. 20th Century Fox, with director Tom Shadyac and producers Dave Phillips and John Davis, pitched their version with Jack Nicholson in mind for the Grinch. The Farrelly brothers and John Hughes also submitted their own versions. Other studios such as Paramount Pictures and New Line Cinema were also interested in purchasing the film rights. Universal Pictures, represented by Brian Grazer and Gary Ross, also made a presentation, but all offers were initially rejected by Geisel. Grazer, however, enlisted his producing partner, Ron Howard, to join negotiations. Though Howard was initially uninterested in a live-action Grinch and was focused on adapting The Sea-Wolf, Grazer convinced him to visit Geisel for a pitch. While reviewing the book, Howard became intrigued by Cindy Lou Who's character and developed a vision for a film with an expanded role for her, a deeper portrayal of the Whos, and a more fleshed-out backstory for the Grinch. During the pitch meeting, Geisel wanted Jack Nicholson as the Grinch but Grazer felt that he did not have the qualities that they wanted, she then responded on who he wanted for the Grinch and he replied that he only wanted to do it with Jim Carrey.
In September 1998, Howard officially signed on to direct and co-produce the film, with Jim Carrey cast as the Grinch. John Stamos auditioned for the role, but backed out due to being allergic to prosthetics. It was later revealed that Universal Pictures paid $9 million for the rights to How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Oh, the Places You'll Go!. Before Howard's involvement, Tim Burton was approached to direct but turned down the offer due to a scheduling conflict with Sleepy Hollow.
The final screenplay, written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman (known for Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Doc Hollywood), underwent eight drafts before reaching a final version. Audrey Geisel had significant control over the script, vetoing several jokes she found inappropriate, including one about a family called the "Who-steins" who lacked a Christmas tree and presents. Additionally, she rejected the inclusion of a stuffed trophy of The Cat in the Hat on the Grinch's wall. Alec Berg, David Mandel and Jeff Schaffer, writers from Seinfeld, contributed to an uncredited rewrite.
Filming and makeup
Principal photography began in September 1999 and wrapped in January 2000. Geisel visited the set on October 11, 1999. The majority of the Whoville set was constructed on the Universal Studios Backlot located behind the iconic Bates Motel set from Psycho (1960) and its 1998 remake of the same name (which Imagine Entertainment also produced).