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‘Tis the season to celebrate the holidays. One of the great traditions for those who celebrate Christmas is gathering the entire family and enjoying some of the many classic animated adventures revolving around this celebratory time of year. The list of animated Christmas classics is long and filled with many beloved stories. However, there is one that has particularly stood the test of time and plays on countless TVs around the world this time of year: the seminal story fromDr. Seuss,How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
This classic tale of holiday spirit has been retold many times over the years. Dr. Seuss’s original illustrated storybook was first published in 1957 and featured his first story that revolved around a villain. It immediately became one of his highest regarded works and led to the 1966 animated TV special developed by animation royaltyChuck Joneswith legendary actorBoris Karloffvoicing the green miscreant. Years later,Ron HowardandJim Carreybrought the character to life in a live-action adaptation. Plus, Illumination adapted the story into a feature-length animated film in 2018.
Both later versions of The Grinch received somewhat mixed reviews. However, the original animated special remains a classic in the canon of Christmas animation watched by countless families every year. But that begs the question, where can you watch the original version ofHow the Grinch Stole Christmas? Read below to find out how you’re able to see the Christmas classic this holiday season.
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What Is How the Grinch Stole Christmas About?
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.
How the Grinch Stole Christmasis almost exactly faithful to the story of the original picture book. It follows the titular green grouch in his attempts to steal Christmas cheer from the Whos of Whoville. Unlike the later live-action version, this take on the Grinch doesn’t really have a tragic backstory or a real reason for hating Christmas. He literally just hates the amount of noise the Whos make during the holidays and sets out on his villainous task as a way to shut them up. Here’s a synopsis for the TV movie:
Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of a nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas. Disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he decides to raid the village to steal all the Christmas things.
Is How the Grinch Stole Christmas Available to Stream?
Watch on Peacock
Can You Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas Without a Peacock Account?
Outside of streaming, the special can be rented from YouTube or Amazon for $3.99.How the Grinch Stole Christmaswill air on NBC on Christmas Day in the United States.Check your local listings for when the film airs in your area.How the Grinch Stole Christmasis a fixture of Christmas syndication, and so NBC is honoring the tradition by continuing to air the film during the Christmas season.
Rent on Amazon
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Where Are the Other Grinch Movies Streaming?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas- If you’ve watched the original animated version of the Christmas classic, you might be interested in seeing the later remakes of the story. The 2000 live-action remake starring Jim Carrey is available on HBO Max for your holiday streaming pleasure. While this version isn’t as widely beloved as the original animated special, Carrey’s performance jumps off the screen and makes Ron Howard’s take on the material worth a revisit. The live-action movie follows the same basic plot as earlier versions, but it expands the world of the story by going deeper into the Grinch’s backstory and revealing exactly why he hates Christmas so much. Apart from Jim Carrey, the movie also starsJeffrey Tambor,Christine Baranski,Bill Irwin, andMolly Shannon, withAnthony Hopkinsas the narrator.
Rent on Prime Video
The Grinch- The 2018 feature-length animated version from Illumination, titled more simplyThe Grinch, is available to stream on Peacock. This version brings the character of The Grinch back to its animated roots but with updated computer-generated visuals. The animated film starsBenedict Cumberbatchas the voice of the Grinch, withRashida Jones,Kenan Thompson,Angela Lansbury, andPharrell Williams. WhileThe Grinchwas criticized for not adding enough to the source material, it goes to show the cultural influence Dr. Seuss’s creation had on the holiday season.
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical-If you loved the previous incarnations of the Dr. Seuss tale, you should check out the Broadway production How the Grinch Stole Christmas. InDr. Seuss' The Grinch Musical, Max the Dognarrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday-loving Whos. The musical is a different take on the story and offers a new look at a holiday classic.
