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- He may be a mean one, but every Christmas, people love to watch The Grinch as he sets out to destroy Christmas for those annoying partiers in Whoville. However, the question remains which version people prefer to watch every Christmas. While most people profess their love for the original cartoon from 1966, there are still fans of the Jim Carrey live-action version from 30 years later. With all that said, too many people overlook the Illumination movie that came out in 2018, which has a lot of positive qualities itself and was a respectable remake of the original animated film. But, which is the best Grinch movie?
The Grinch is one of the most famous holiday characters - who isn't filled with holiday cheer! From the animated special to the Jim Carrey live-action movie and the animated creation (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch), the Grinch is an integral part of Christmas for a lot of people.
The popularity of this creature is so widespread that there was a Grinch musical starring Matthew Morrison. The Grinch is everywhere. However, when talking about movies, which version is the best Grinch movie — 1966, 2000, or 2018's?
UPDATE: 2022/12/12 00:02 EST BY SHAWN S. LEALOS
He may be a mean one, but every Christmas, people love to watch The Grinch as he sets out to destroy Christmas for those annoying partiers in Whoville. However, the question remains which version people prefer to watch every Christmas. While most people profess their love for the original cartoon from 1966, there are still fans of the Jim Carrey live-action version from 30 years later. With all that said, too many people overlook the Illumination movie that came out in 2018, which has a lot of positive qualities itself and was a respectable remake of the original animated film. But, which is the best Grinch movie?
Why 1966's "How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" Is The Best
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The Story Is Offered In Its Purest Form
The 1966 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is short and sweet, which allows the narration of Dr. Seuss's book to take center stage. It's nice to relive the pages of the book in Chuck Jones' animation, with the Grinch and the narrator both voiced by Boris Karloff.
Of all three versions, the narration is most important in this one. It's also the only version kids in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s had during Christmas, so it really stands out to a certain generation.
There's A Classic Rendition Of The Song "Mr. Grinch"
Thurl Ravenscroft, the legendary voice of Tony the Tiger, lent his vocals to the 1966 program for "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." This song, composed by Albert Hague and lyricized by Dr. Seuss, has become an iconic part of the Grinch's legacy.
The song rivals Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" come to the holiday season. It's quoted every year because it encapsulates all the gritty, unbecoming qualities of the Grinch. Jim Carrey's cover is great, but the original will always be irreplaceable in Christmas history.
Cindy Lou Who Is A Cute Toddler
Kids who grew up watching the animated half-hour special can easily remember Cindy Lou Who toddling down the stairs to find the Grinch nabbing her family's Christmas tree. The girl "was no more than two," and she dons a pink nightgown for the night before Christmas.
Cindy Lou Who trusts the Grinch because she thinks he's Santa. And while there are better movies based on Santa Claus than this one, Santa isn't the star — the Grinch is. Cindy is a little confused when she saw the Grinch instead of Santa in this version, but her cuteness made fans love her.
It's Simply Iconic
The newer additions to the Grinch's legacy are excellent ones, but the 1966 film will always be the classic. It is the one in which Dr. Seuss was involved as a lyricist for the songs, and it's the one that feels the most like his famous children's book. It tells the purest story, has some of the best music, and features an adorable sidekick.
The program is even Kevin McCallister's favorite for Christmas in the Home Alone movies. The special teaches a timeless lesson and reminds each viewer how important it is to let their heart grow with love and generosity, considered by many to be the best Grinch movie.
Why 2000's "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" Is The Best
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The Story Offers An Explanation To An Important Question
While some consider this an overrated Christmas movie, the 2000 version of the story, directed by Ron Howard, explains why the Grinch hates Christmas so much. Viewers get to go back in time, all the way to the Grinch's birth. After the stork drops the Grinch off in Whoville, he becomes a part of the community and is treated like any other Who.
Once the Grinch gets a bit older, the school kids tease him relentlessly about his appearance. While hoping to impress Martha May with a stunning handmade gift, the Grinch gets fed up with the jokes at his expense, and he declares that he hates Christmas. A cool part of this version is that there are a few Easter eggs or shout-outs to the original.
A Glorious Addition Of The Song "Where Are You, Christmas?"
"Where are You, Christmas" is such a moving song, and it's a special part of the 2000 film. Taylor Momsen (Jenny from Gossip Girl) sweetly sings the song as Cindy Lou Who within the movie, and Faith Hill's version (with the music video) is still a fan favorite Christmas song to this day.
The music perfectly expresses the point of the movie for the Whos and the Grinch: to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
Cindy Lou Who Is A Young Girl With Real Questions
As precious as 1966's animated two-year-old Cindy Lou Who is, the elementary school girl in the 2000 film is another excellent embodiment of the role. The 2018 version is somewhere in between the others, but she's much more rambunctious and spunky.
The innocent toddler of the 1966 Christmas special can't do a much to change the Grinch's ways, but as an inquisitive kid in the 2000 feature film, Cindy Lou Who wants to get to the bottom of the Grinch's behavior. Their interactions created some of the funniest quotes in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and she sees so much more in him and is ready to guide him to his best self.
The Grinch Is Not The True Villain Here
The original How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie showed the mean-spirited Grinch attempting to ruin Christmas. His only purpose was that he hated Christmas, and it annoyed him. That made him the perfect villain for that story, which led to his redemption. That was not the tale in the 2000 movie. The Grinch was not even the villain here, and instead, he is one of the best characters in any Christmas movie.
This made the entire plot different. Here, The Grinch wanted to love Christmas as a child, but he was bullied and shunned from town. As an adult, Cindy Lou Who convinced him to reintegrate, but the mayor mocked him again and drove him away. The Grinch had every reason to hate Christmas, and he didn't find a new heart, he found a way to fight back against the bullies and find acceptance, a much better story in the end, making it the best Grinch movie.
Why 2018's "The Grinch" Is The Best Grinch Movie
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The Story Is More Emotionally Developed
The most recent feature film takes a slightly different approach with the Grinch's character. He's still mean, but he has more emotional depth from the beginning to the end. Viewers learn that he was raised in an orphanage where Christmas cheer was nonexistent.
It's quite moving to see why the Grinch is the way he is, but in a different way from the 2000 holiday classic. Not only does he have a greater capacity for growth; he also has an adorable look, both as a child and an adult.
There Are Fun New Songs And Fresh Look
The latest feature film version of The Grinch lights up a room with its impressive holiday decorations throughout Whoville. The music matches the brightness of the scenes.
Tyler the Creator is joined by a chorus of kids to sing "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." The film score and additional song selections are so creative, like the Grinch playing "All by Myself" on the organ.
Max Is So Lovable
Max the dog is wonderful in every version of The Grinch, but he is especially lovable in the 2018 movie. The dog is the Grinch's faithful companion, always ready to cheer him up or help him in any way.
Max performs many servant duties, but the Grinch still views the pup as his best friend. And while the Grinch is a killjoy, the ending of the movie moves the Grinch to give Max a Christmas present!
This Movie Has The Most Jokes
The first animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie was a retelling of the book. In the end, it was a musical poem that told the story of a mean individual finding happiness in the end. It was also clearly anti-consumerism and that played hard in the story. The second movie had Jim Carrey doing his over-the-top shtick as the Grinch in a story of a person bullied who fought back.
However, the Illumination version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas did something different. This movie was made as a comedy. While it told a similar story to the first movie, there were lots of gags thrown in, and the company that created the Minions delivered a very funny Christmas movie here. Of the three movies, anyone wanting a laugh could consider the 2018 version as the best Grinch movie.