The Highest-Grossing Christmas Movie of All Time Was Already Overshadowed 18 Years Earlier – 8881199.XYZ

As the holiday season kicks into full gear, Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch is sure to sneak its way onto a watch list or two. Yet those seeking the best version may be led astray by the 2018 version of The Grinch starring Benedict Cumberbatch. While that version is technically the most financially successful, the far better iteration remains Ron Howard and Jim Carrey’s ultra-wacky and highly immersive How the Grinch Stole Christmas, an enchanting holiday family affair turning 25 this November.

Released on November 17, 2000, How the Grinch Stole Christmas features one of Jim Carrey’s most inventive performances, one of Ron Howard’s most playful films, and continues to stand tall on the shoulders of its vivid production design and art direction, bringing Whoville to life with great imagination. For those on the fence about which Grinch to invite into the household this yuletide season, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the most rewarding.

‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ Doesn’t Deserve the Hate It Received

Universal Pictures

Based on the classic Dr. Seuss story, Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas stars Jim Carrey as the holiday-hating Grinch, determined to sabotage Whoville’s yuletide cheer. As the Grinch looks to ruin the holiday for the townsfolk, a little girl named Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen) digs into his past, tries to understand why he’s so grumpy, and attempts to restore his Christmas spirit.

As familiar as the story is to most, Ron Howard injects the film with a zany visual style, wildly imaginative production design that transports viewers to Whoville, and elicits one of Jim Carrey’s best performances. Yet, despite numerous award nominations and a successful box-office run, How the Grinch Stole Christmas was unfairly panned by most critics, who compared it to the classic 1966 Chuck Jones cartoon.

In 2025, How the Grinch Stole Christmas boasts a subpar 49% Rotten Tomatoes rating and a 46 Metascore. RT’s critical consensus reads:

“Jim Carrey shines as the Grinch. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to save this movie. You’d be better off watching the TV cartoon.”

Adding insult to injury, How the Grinch Stole Christmas appeared on the shortlist of several worst-movie lists that year. The film was nominated for two Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies), one for Worst Remake or Sequel and one for Worst Screenplay. More undeserving yet, the film earned three Stinkers Bad Movie Awards for its seven-year-old star, Taylor Momsen, including Worst Supporting Actress, Worst On-Screen Hairstyle, and Worst Song or Song Performance.

Frankly, the movie did not deserve such dishonor in 2000. When compared to The Grinch (2018), the Razzies and Stinkers nominations seem even harsher and more undeserving.

‘The Grinch’ (2018) Is the Highest-Grossing Christmas Movie of All Time

The Grinch holds a coffee mug in The Grinch

Directed by Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney, The Grinch is a lifeless computer-animated version of the timeless Dr. Seuss story. The miscast Benedict Cumberbatch woefully pales in comparison to Carrey’s performance, doing his best to bring the grouchy Grinch in cartoon form. Despite adding very little to the story, The Grinch became a runaway hit for Universal Pictures when it was released theatrically on November 9, 2018.

With an estimated budget of $75 million, The Grinch grossed $540 million in global ticket sales to become the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time (via Box Office Mojo). Although Home Alone still holds the holiday record when adjusted for inflation, The Grinch has technically surpassed the classic John Hughes/Chris Columbus movie and currently holds the record.

In comparison, How the Grinch Stole Christmas cost roughly $123 million to make, and grossed a healthy $347 million worldwide, which was good enough to become the sixth-highest-grossing Christmas movie on record (via Box Office Mojo).

In addition to grossing more than How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Grinch also earned better reviews from critics. The 2018 film holds a 60% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 51 Metascore, with many appreciating how closely it mirrors the classic Chuck Jones cartoon. And yet, when comparing the two versions side by side, Ron Howard’s take on Whoville is the better-crafted movie and the more enjoyable experience.

‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ Is Better Than ‘The Grinch’

Cindy Lou Who talks to the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Despite the critical and commercial success suggesting otherwise, How the Grinch Stole Christmas remains a superior version to the 2018 film. Jim Carrey’s madcap performance towers over Cumberbatch’s laconic portrayal, with his unique brand of physical comedy really enhancing the experience.

Beyond the starring roles, Ron Howard’s practical, immersive world-building is far more engaging than the limp and lifeless computer-generated version. Despite the Razzie nominations the movie earned, there’s a reason why How the Grinch Stole Christmas earned Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design, and won for Best Makeup for the legendary Rick Baker and Gail Rowell-Ryan. Jim Carrey also earned a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as The Grinch, an honor that eluded Cumberbatch.

As a PG movie aimed at children, Ron Howard’s version hit the target. The beloved Christmas movie won Favorite Movie and Favorite Movie Actor (Carrey) at the 2001 Kids’ Choice Awards. Between Lauren Polizzi’s (Jurassic Park) colorful art direction, Michael Corenblith’s (Cool World) evocative production design, and cinematographer Donald Peterman’s (Men in Black) kinetic camerawork, How the Grinch Stole Christmas boasts far superior technical craftwork than the derivative 2018 version.

Although some visuals can be dizzying and disorienting, often resembling a Tim Burton film, How the Grinch Stole Christmas deserves to be reappraised 25 years after its release. It may have been unfairly dismissed at the time, but in retrospect, the movie is undeserving of the hate it received. And like many Ron Howard movies, How the Grinch Stole Christmas gets better over time. With Christmas around the corner, those considering which version of The Grinch to show the family this holiday season ought to go back and unwrap Ron Howard’s underappreciated gift. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is available to stream on Peacock and Prime Video.