How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Perched above Whoville, a grumpy, green recluse has had enough of holiday noise and cheer, so he plots a bold plan to end Christmas for everyone below. He adopts disguises, sneaks into homes, and methodically takes decorations, gifts, and feasts, all while the Whos wake to an impossible silence. Along the way a sincere little girl, Cindy Lou Who, asks simple questions about family and kindness that begin to complicate his neat scheme. The film follows the Grinch's antics, the townspeople's reactions, and the small moments that crack his routine, without giving away how those moments resolve.

Released in 2000, How the Grinch Stole Christmas was directed by Ron Howard and adapted from Dr. Seuss' classic book, featuring Jim Carrey as the Grinch and Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, with extensive makeup and prosthetics bringing the characters to life.

The picture was a major commercial success, drawing large holiday crowds and earning hundreds of millions worldwide, helped by its family appeal and seasonal release window that kept it in theaters during peak holiday attendance.

Jim Carrey's elastic, high-energy performance became a cultural touchstone, and the film's exaggerated production design, costumes, and makeup inspired Halloween costumes, holiday programming rotations, and steady home video play. Cindy Lou Who's portrayal and a few standout sequences are often referenced in pop culture and seasonal lineups.

Critics were mixed to positive, applauding Carrey's commitment and the vivid visual world while pointing out an uneven tone and a runtime that some found excessive for the material. The movie centers on themes of isolation, belonging, and the tension between commercial spectacle and simple human warmth, offering a family-friendly story that leans toward broad comedy and theatrical showmanship.