How many Grinch movies are there?
The Grinch has inspired seven movies and TV specials, each offering its own take on the beloved Dr. Seuss meanie. Some movies are canon, some are obscure. Two are live action, the rest are animated. Most are kid friendly, but one is downright gory. Yet if you watch every Grinch movie, you can count on one thing: The Grinch is mean and green, and he usually (though not always!) transforms into a softie by the end.
If you want to be a Grinch completist, the best way to watch every Grinch movie is in order of release date. Below we’ll show you where to stream or rent each flick. For a limited time, you can also watch Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas on the big screen this month.
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How to watch all the Grinch movies and shows in order
Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas! in 1957, but the first screen adaptation came in 1966. This was the 36-minute animated version that we all know and love, featuring the baritone narration of Boris Karloff. The movie was followed by two more TV specials, including a prequel set during Halloween.
In 2000, Hollywood got into the Grinch game with the live-action Jim Carrey adaptation, which was a hit at the box office. (If you’ve wondered why Hollywood didn’t make a sequel, it might be because Geisel’s widow Audrey Geisel was so appalled by Mike Myers’ Cat in the Hat, she reportedly forbade other live-action adaptations of Dr. Seuss’ work.) Eighteen years later, Benedict Cumberbatch voiced the Grinch in a 2018 film, followed by a TV special that aired in 2020 and an (unsanctioned) horror flick in 2022.
Given Hollywood’s love for franchises and reboots, an average of one movie per decade might not seem like a lot. But Geisel was famously protective of his work—and so was his late widow. So if you’re itching for another splashy Grinch movie, there’s nothing new in the works as of now. But you’ll soon be able to watch Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the Jim Carrey version) on a big screen, since it’s getting a theatrical re-release on December 12 to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary.
Our list of Grinch movies features JustWatch widgets that automatically update, so you’ll always know the best ways to watch every Grinch movie. We recommend viewing these in order of release, so that you can see the Grinch evolve as animation styles and technology change over the years.
List of Grinch movies and shows in release order
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
- Halloween Is Grinch Night (1977)
- The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (1982)
- Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
- Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical Live! (2020)
- The Mean One (2022)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Originally airing on CBS in 1966, this was the first (and arguably the most iconic) movie adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book. It also marked the Grinch’s debut as a green-skinned character, since the book illustrations were mostly black and white. Chuck Jones (of Looney Tunes fame) directed the short movie and Boris Karloff voiced the narrator—not to be confused with Thurl Ravenscroft, who sang the famous “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The song was reprised in future Grinch movies and has been a holiday earworm for generations of families.
Where to stream How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Halloween Is Grinch Night (1977)
Most people associate the Grinch with Christmas, but did you know the Grinch also has a Halloween movie credit to his name? You might call it a prequel, since the Grinch hasn’t yet had his change of heart—which means he’s still got it out for Whoville. In the story, Whoville goes on high alert when they smell a “sour-sweet wind” that signals the Grinch is about to terrorize the town. Instead of Cindy-Lou, this time it’s a young Who boy who goes head-to-head with the Grinch. The movie is kid friendly, though the Grinch offers a tour of his wagon that could be legit scary for wee young’uns.
Where to stream Halloween Is Grinch Night
The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (1982)
Two of Dr. Seuss’ most iconic characters cross over in this TV musical that originally aired on ABC. The Grinch gets into a fender bender with the Cat in the Hat—and as you might guess from their personalities, things escalate quickly when the cat’s mischievous nature and the Grinch’s grumpy attitude collide. As the Grinch plots ways to wreak havoc, the Cat tries to take the grump out of the Grinch. The half-hour special is packed with songs, and it won an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program.
Where to stream The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
This Ron Howard adaptation is probably the most famous Grinch movie of the modern era, and it’s the only adaptation shot in live action. The movie overall stays faithful to the book, with the Grinch determined to ruin Christmas for Whoville. Your opinion of the movie will probably depend a lot on how much you can handle Jim Carrey, but even critics who panned the movie gave Carrey credit for a role he seemed born to play. The movie was no critical darling, but it was a massive hit with $345 million worldwide at the box office—a number sure to grow when the movie is re-released this month.
Where to stream Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
Fast-forward 18 years for the next Grinch movie, this one with Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the Grinch. (In case you’re wondering when the Grinch turned British, he doesn’t—Cumberbatch adopts an American accent here.) This version of the Grinch more or less follows the original story, but it softens some of the Grinch’s mean edges and gives our green grump a more sympathetic backstory. The movie also doesn’t shy away from modern updates, like a hip-hop version of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
Where to stream Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical Live! (2020)
Technically this is a stage adaptation of the Grinch, but it was filmed and aired on NBC as part of a series of live theater specials. It stars Matthew Morrison (yes, that Matthew Morrison from Glee) as the Grinch, and it’s told from the point of view of his dog Max as he recounts the tale of his owner trying to ruin Christmas for Whoville. It’s perfect if you love live theater and want a different perspective on the Grinch story.
Where to stream Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical Live!
The Mean One (2022)
The Grinch gets the horror treatment in this slasher film adaptation, which as you might guess is neither kid friendly nor authorized by the Dr. Seuss estate. The Grinch is portrayed as a green monster that locals call “The Mean One” (David Howard Thornton, aka Art the Clown from Terrifier), and it terrorizes the town of Newville during Christmas. Instead of stealing presents and decorations, though, the Mean One murders. The tagline says it all: “First he stole Christmas, now he’s back for blood.” There are some familiar character names, like Cindy and Doc Zeuss, but don’t expect any original lines seeing as this retelling is unauthorized.
Where to stream The Mean One
Grinch movies FAQ
Is there more than one Grinch film?
There are two authorized feature-length movies based on the Grinch. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a live-action version starring Jim Carrey, which came out in 2000. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, which came out in 2018, stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of the Grinch. There is also an unauthorized feature-length adaptation called The Mean One, which is a horror take.
Is The Grinch 2 confirmed?
While there are multiple screen adaptations of the Grinch story, none of them have spawned a sequel yet. Rumors have swirled in the past about a sequel to the Jim Carrey adaptation, but nothing is confirmed.
Which Grinch film is better?
Of the seven Grinch movies on this list, the original adaptation from 1966, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, has earned the most favorable ratings from critics. When it comes to box office earnings, The Grinch (2018) has earned $539,294,000 worldwide, while How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) has brought in $347,162,000.
