The Grinch (2018)
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A grumpy, green-furred creature with a heart two sizes too small plans to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.
The story
In the town of Whoville, the Whos are filled with excitement about celebrating Christmas. However, the only one who is not thrilled is the grumpy, cantankerous and green-furred Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small". He lives in his cave with his dog, Max, and only goes into Whoville to buy groceries. When 6-year-old Cindy Lou Who seeks help for her overworked mother, she encounters the Grinch. After a failed attempt to sabotage Whoville's tree-lighting ceremony, the Grinch decides to steal Christmas from the Whos to alleviate his distress, planning to take all the town's decorations and gifts.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In Whoville, the Whos prepare for Christmas while the Grinch lives in a cave with his dog, Max. After Cindy Lou Who encounters the Grinch while trying to help her overworked mother, she decides to go to the North Pole. The Grinch, frustrated by the Whos' joy, decides to steal their decorations and gifts. He acquires a reindeer named Fred and a stolen sleigh. On Christmas Eve, he steals the items but is caught by Cindy Lou. Her kindness and advice about the Whos' singing touch his heart. Despite this, he initially continues his mission. After the theft, the Whos realize the items are gone but find joy in singing together. The Grinch, listening to them, feels his heart grow. He eventually returns the items to Whoville and apologizes. Later, Cindy Lou invites him to her home, where he realizes he didn't hate Christmas, but his own solitude. He accepts the Whos' friendship and enjoys a feast.
- First release year
- 2018
- Runtime (minutes)
- 86
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Scott Mosier; Yarrow Cheney
- Writers
- Michael LeSieur · screenplay; Tommy Swerdlow · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Benedict Cumberbatch · the Grinch; Rashida Jones · Donna Who; Kenan Thompson · Bricklebaum; Angela Lansbury · Mayor McGerkle; Pharrell Williams · the Narrator; Cameron Seely · Cindy Lou Who
- Genres
- animated; Christmas comedy; fantasy
- Themes
- loneliness; friendship; community
- Tone and mood
- whimsical; heartwarming
- Setting
- Whoville and Mount Crumpit during the Christmas season.
- Premise and plot tags
- holiday; reboot; animated
- Source material / true-story basis
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
- Franchise connections
- The Grinch
- Content notes
- suitable for younger viewers
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Christmas film in history.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 60% · scale: percentage · review count: 197; Metacritic · score: 51 · scale: 100 · review count: 32; PostTrak · score: 83% · scale: percentage
- Production trivia
- The film was originally scheduled for release in 2017.; The film was the highest-grossing Dr. Seuss film adaptation.; The film's production was the final Dr. Seuss adaptation during the lifetime of Seuss's widow.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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