How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids How the Grinch Stole Christmas |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Ron Howard |
| Written by | Jeffrey Price Peter S. Seaman |
| Narrated by | Anthony Hopkins |
| Starring | |
| Music by | James Horner |
| Cinematography | Don Peterman |
| Editing by |
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| Studio | Imagine Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | November 8, 2000 (Los Angeles) November 17, 2000 (United States) |
| Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $123 million |
| Money made | $363.4 million |
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (also known as Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas or simply The Grinch) is a fun Christmas fantasy film from 2000. It was directed by Ron Howard and written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman. The movie is based on the famous 1957 book by Dr. Seuss called How the Grinch Stole Christmas!.
This film was the very first time a Dr. Seuss book was made into a full-length movie. The story is told by Anthony Hopkins. It stars Jim Carrey as the Grinch, with Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, and Molly Shannon in other important roles.
Since the original book was short, the movie added more to the story. This included details about the Grinch's past and making Cindy Lou Who a main character. Many of the rhymes from the book were used in the film. The movie also used ideas from the 1966 animated TV special, like the song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and the Grinch's green skin.
The movie was a big success, earning over $363 million worldwide. It won an Academy Award for Best Makeup for its amazing costumes and character looks.
Contents
The Grinch's Story
All the people of Whoville, called Whos, absolutely love celebrating Christmas. The Grinch, a green creature, arrived in Whoville as a baby and was adopted by two kind elderly women.
As a child, the Grinch was shy. He had a crush on Martha May Whovier, a popular girl at his school. She was always nice to him. However, a bully named Augustus MayWho made fun of the Grinch for having a beard.
On the day of the school's Christmas party, the Grinch tried to shave his face and accidentally cut himself. His classmates, except Martha, laughed at him. This made the Grinch very angry, and he declared that he hated Christmas. He then ran away to the top of Mount Crumpit, a mountain north of Whoville, and lived there alone.
Years later, most Whos still don't like the Grinch because he is so mean, especially around Christmas. But six-year-old Cindy Lou Who thinks the Whos are missing the true meaning of Christmas. She believes they focus too much on gifts and parties, and not enough on being kind to each other.
Cindy meets the Grinch at the post office and later learns about his sad past. She decides to nominate the Grinch to be the town's "Holiday Cheermeister." Mayor Augustus MayWho, who is now the mayor, is not happy about this.
Cindy climbs Mount Crumpit to invite the Grinch to the celebration, and he finally agrees. As Cheermeister, the Grinch starts to have fun. But Mayor MayWho ruins it by giving him an electric razor, reminding him of his childhood shame.
The Mayor then asks Martha to marry him, giving her a big, fancy ring and a new car. The Grinch gets very angry. He tells the Whos that Christmas is only about gifts that they will just throw away. He even tries to burn down their Christmas tree, but the Whos have a spare. The Grinch then goes back to Mount Crumpit.
The Grinch's Plan
The Grinch is tired of the Whos' Christmas spirit. He plans to steal all their presents, decorations, and food while they are sleeping. He dresses up as Santa Claus and makes his dog, Max, look like a reindeer. Then, he goes down into Whoville.
The first house he enters is Cindy's. When Cindy catches him stealing their tree, the Grinch tells her a lie so he can get away. The Grinch continues to steal everything and stuffs it all into a giant sack. He then climbs back to the top of Mount Crumpit. His plan is to push the sack off the side of the mountain and destroy everything.
When the Whos wake up on Christmas morning, they are shocked to find all their things gone. Mayor MayWho blames Cindy for letting the Grinch ruin Christmas. However, Cindy's cheerful father, Lou Lou Who, defends her. He explains that Christmas is about being together with family and friends, not just gifts. The Whos agree and start singing their Christmas carol.
Before the Grinch can push the sack of gifts off the cliff, he hears the Whos singing. He realizes he has failed to stop Christmas. Then, he has a big change of heart and finally understands the true meaning of Christmas. His heart grows three sizes!
The sleigh full of gifts starts to slide over the cliff, and Cindy, who came to be with him, is also sliding. The Grinch finds the strength to lift the heavy sleigh and save Cindy. They ride down the mountain to return everything.
The Grinch apologizes for his actions and stealing. The police accept his apology and don't arrest him. Martha even turns down the Mayor's proposal and says her heart belongs to the Grinch. After this, the Grinch joins the Whos' Christmas feast and even carves the roast beast himself!
Meet the Cast
- Anthony Hopkins as the narrator, who tells the story.
- Jim Carrey as the Grinch, a green creature who dislikes Christmas. He started hating Christmas after kids at school made fun of him.
- Josh Ryan Evans plays the Grinch when he was 8 years old.
- Kelley as Max, the Grinch's loyal pet dog and his only friend on Mount Crumpit.
- Frank Welker makes the sounds for Max.
- Christine Baranski as Martha May Whovier, the Grinch's childhood crush. She eventually chooses the Grinch over the Mayor.
- Landry Allbright plays Martha May Whovier when she was 8 years old.
- Jeffrey Tambor as Mayor Augustus MayWho, the rude and bossy mayor of Whoville. He was a bully to the young Grinch.
- Ben Bookbinder plays Augustus MayWho when he was 8 years old.
- Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, a kind young Who girl. She believes in the true spirit of Christmas and sees the good in the Grinch. In the movie, she is 6 years old.
- Bill Irwin as Lou Lou Who, Cindy's cheerful father and the town's postmaster.
- Molly Shannon as Betty Lou Who, Cindy's mother.
- Clint Howard as Whobris, the Mayor's helper who agrees with everything the Mayor says.
- Reid Kirchenbauer plays Whobris when he was 8 years old.
- Mindy Sterling as Clarnella Who, one of the Grinch's adoptive mothers.
- Rachel Winfree as Rose Who, another of the Grinch's adoptive mothers.
- Jeremy Howard as Drew Lou Who, one of Cindy's brothers.
- T. J. Thyne as Stu Lou Who, another of Cindy's brothers.
- Jim Meskimen as Officer Wholihan, the chief of police.
- Mary Stein as Miss Rue Who, the Grinch's and later Cindy's school teacher.
- Deep Roy as a Post Office Clerk.
- Rance Howard as an Elderly Timekeeper.
- Verne Troyer as a Band Member.
- Bryce Dallas Howard as a Surprised Who.
- Ron Howard as a Whoville Townperson (uncredited).
Where to Watch the Movie
The movie first aired on TV on ABC in November 2004. It now often airs on Freeform during their "25 Days of Christmas" event. Sometimes, it also airs on NBC on Christmas night, after the animated TV special.
These TV airings sometimes include scenes that were not in the original movie or on the VHS/DVD releases. These extra scenes show things like Cindy's dad buying many gifts, Cindy asking about the Grinch, and more moments of the Grinch in his cave.
Movie Music
The soundtrack for the movie was released on November 7, 2000. It features songs by different artists, including Busta Rhymes, Faith Hill, Eels, Smash Mouth, and NSYNC.
| Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
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| Soundtrack album by
Various artists
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| Released | November 7, 2000 |
| Recorded | 2000 |
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| Length | 73:19 |
| Label | |
The soundtrack includes songs like "Grinch 2000" by Busta Rhymes, "Green Christmas" by Barenaked Ladies, and "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" sung by Jim Carrey. It also features "Where Are You, Christmas?" by Faith Hill and "Christmas, Why Can't I Find You?" sung by Taylor Momsen.
Images for kids
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Ron Howard is the film's director and producer.
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Whoville Grinch Family Sedan from How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Stahls Automotive Collection
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See also
In Spanish: El Grinch (película de 2000) para niños
