Based on a renowned Dr. Seuss book, one of the many movie adaptations of The Grinch has become a Netflix hit just in time for the holidays. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a classic book about the Grinch stealing every present in Whoville due to his hatred for Christmas. However, he soon learns the magic of Christmas isn’t the gifts people receive but the love they share. Dr. Seuss’ book has been adapted multiple times since its publication in 1957.
Now, Netflix has revealed its Top 10 films globally for the week of September 4 through September 10, 2023. At No. 4 is 2018’s The Grinch, Illumination’s animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ story starring Benedict Cumberbatch. The movie garnered 4.1 million viewers over the week, showing that the holiday season has started early.
Why Illumination’s Version Of The Grinch Stands Out
The first adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic Christmas book came in the form of the 1966 animated TV film How the Grinch Stole Christmas! A remake bearing the same title was released in 2000, featuring Jim Carrey in the role of the Grinch. Following Illumination’s version of the book, a horror movie starring the Grinch titled The Mean One was released in 2022.
Illumination’s rendition of The Grinch focuses on making the story comedic, including subplots that don’t appear in the original book. Its bright colors and humor make it the perfect family movie to start the holidays. Some even claim The Grinch is better than Jim Carrey’s version, partially because it’s more appropriate for younger viewers. These aspects also explain why the movie has become popular on Netflix, even though the holiday season remains a few months away.
It’s likely that, as the holidays approach, even more thematically appropriate films will rise to the ranks of Netflix’s weekly Top 10. With a wide variety of films in its catalog, movies for the holiday season will likely be pushed forward as more people start looking for them. For now, though, The Grinch stands alone on the Top 10 list, indicating the holidays are only just beginning.
