There have been several iterations of the Grinch on the screen, yet Dr. Suess’s best cartoon story was immortalized in 1966 by legendary Chuck Jones.
Like most people, I’ve seen the original countless times. And it begs the question – why is this original so much better than the other Grinch movies that came after it? And that’s due to the Christmas magic. HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000) was more about Jim Carey’s slapstick than the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes. Despite Benedict Cumberbatch’s fantastic voice work, THE GRINCH (2018) felt too similar in style and tone to Illumination’s other films. I wanted to see the lesson “Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we,” and not all the awful punchlines.
As a parent, I can relive films through my kids’ eyes. Watching his face light up like a Christmas tree when he saw one recently warmed my heart. He also has a nice set of Grinch PJs (See pic below). I started thinking about how I’m blessed with the gift of shaping this little human’s mind, heart, and feelings based on what classic movies and TV he watches. From THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, TOY STORY, WALL-E, and now HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!, I am curating the best of the best with messages of love, growth, belonging, and kindness.
So gather your family, friends, and dogs (minus the antlers) to re-watch everyone’s favorite classic, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! this holiday season. Since “no one should be alone on Christmas.”
It’s available to stream on Peacock.