The Grinch (2018)

Illumination's animated retelling of the classic Dr. Seuss tale, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the grumpy, Christmas-loathing Grinch.

The Grinch - Movie Information

  • Original Title: The Grinch
  • Release Year: 2018
  • Directed by: Yarrow Cheney, Scott Mosier
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Family, Comedy, Animation
  • Age Rating (US): PG
  • Runtime: 1h 25m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): November 8, 2018 (Brazil - L), November 9, 2018 (United States - PG), November 9, 2018 (United Kingdom), November 29, 2018 (Germany - 0), November 28, 2018 (France - TP), December 6, 2018 (Australia - G), November 29, 2018 (Italy - T), November 30, 2018 (Spain - A), December 19, 2018 (South Korea - ALL)
  • Alternative Titles: グリンチ (JP), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (US)
  • Production Companies: Illumination, Universal Pictures
  • Production Countries: United States of America

The Grinch - Plot

The Grinch hatches a scheme to ruin Christmas when the residents of Whoville plan their annual holiday celebration.

The Grinch - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the Grinch's holiday heist unfold in glorious animated style.

It was the heist before Christmas.

Where to Watch The Grinch

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The Grinch - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Yarrow Cheney
  • Scott Mosier

Main Cast

  • Benedict Cumberbatch
  • Rashida Jones
  • Kenan Thompson
  • Cameron Seely
  • Angela Lansbury
  • Pharrell Williams
  • Ramone Hamilton
  • Sam Lavagnino
  • Scarlett Estevez
  • Michael Beattie

Writers

  • Michael LeSieur
  • Tommy Swerdlow

Producers

  • Chris Meledandri
  • Janet Healy

The Grinch - FAQs

What is The Grinch (2018) about?

The Grinch follows the grumpy, cave-dwelling Grinch as he plots an elaborate heist to steal Christmas from the cheerful residents of Whoville. Along the way, the warm-hearted Cindy Lou Who is on a mission of her own, and the two storylines collide in a heartwarming holiday showdown.

Does The Grinch have a happy ending?

Yes, and it's a genuinely sweet one. After his Christmas heist goes sideways, the Grinch has a change of heart — quite literally — and returns everything he stole to Whoville. He ends up joining the Who family for Christmas dinner, trading his isolation for something far warmer.

Where can you stream The Grinch (2018)?

The Grinch is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. FlixFling also offers it as a rental option. It's easy to find across most major digital platforms just in time for the holiday season.

Who voices the Grinch in the 2018 film?

Benedict Cumberbatch brings the Grinch to life with a wonderfully grumpy voice performance. He's joined by Rashida Jones as Donna Lou Who, Kenan Thompson as the jolly Bricklebaum, Cameron Seely as Cindy Lou Who, and the legendary Angela Lansbury as Mayor McGerkle.

Is The Grinch (2018) based on a book?

It is! The film is based on Dr. Seuss's beloved 1957 children's book How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This Illumination adaptation follows earlier versions, including the classic 1966 animated TV special and Ron Howard's live-action film from 2000 starring Jim Carrey.

Is The Grinch (2018) worth watching for families?

Absolutely. Rated PG and running just 85 minutes, it's a breezy, visually dazzling watch for all ages. The film earned over $550 million worldwide and won over audiences with its colorful Whoville, Cumberbatch's charming performance, and a genuinely funny, heartfelt story.

Who composed the music for The Grinch?

Danny Elfman composed the score — a fitting choice given his long history with holiday and fantastical films. Pharrell Williams also serves as the film's narrator and contributes to its musical personality, lending the whole production a warm, playful energy that complements the visuals beautifully.

How much did The Grinch (2018) earn at the box office?

The Grinch was a massive commercial hit, grossing over $552 million worldwide against a $75 million production budget. That's a remarkable return, making it one of Illumination's most successful holiday releases and cementing the studio's reputation for crowd-pleasing animated fare.

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