With a predecessor so popular that it’s a staple for many during the holiday period, How The Grinch Stole Christmas 2 could still work without Jim Carrey reprising the role, and one 2018 film proves it. Carrey’s impressive performance of the Grinch was 23 years ago and is still a hit among fans. A literary sequel to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas‘ source material was released in September 2023 and authorized by the Dr. Seuss estate. Titled How The Grinch Lost Christmas, this follow-up is set one year after the first book and follows the Grinch’s attempts to win a ‘best Christmas tree’ contest in Whoville.
In The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Carrey donned an elaborate costume and makeup in a tale that saw the bitter character come to understand the true meaning of Christmas. The character’s popularity is evident in the array of mediums of which he’s a part, like film remakes, a video game, and a musical version, each with merit. Because of his awards for the role and praise among fans, Carrey would be a natural fit to bring the character to life again. However, without Carrey, a potential How The Grinch Stole Christmas 2 would need to recast the character, which could be a good thing.
Every Grinch Movie Ranked From Worst To Best (Including The Mean One)
Dr. Seuss’ iconic Christmas villain The Grinch has been adapted into several movies, including The Mean One – here’s every one, ranked worst to best.
Illumination’s 2018 The Grinch Proves A New Grinch Can Work
How The Grinch Stole Christmas was not the first adaptation of the book, and it certainly wasn’t the last. In 2018, Illumination released an animated version titled The Grinch, which became the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time with $526.7 million box-office earnings worldwide. This beat popular live-action holiday films like Home Alone and Love Actually. Evidently, the Grinch’s appeal as a character is undeniable.
Moreover, the shift in medium to animation and Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) voicing the titular character solidifies that the franchise can be a commercial success when reinvented. Despite Carrey’s off-the-wall comedic performance breathing new life into the character in the first live-action version, the 2018 animated remake proves the franchise can stand on its own without him in the lead role. The Grinch‘s family-friendly humor and charming visuals gave it enough nostalgia from the previous film to entice existing fans and appeal to people of all ages.
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch: 5 Major Differences From The 2000 Movie (& 5 Similarities)
Illumination released their own Grinch movie in 2018 but how does it differ from the live-action version starring Jim Carrey from the year 2000?
Why Jim Carrey Won’t Reprise His Role For The Grinch 2
With The Grinch‘s massive success, the news that Carrey won’t reprise his role is not as devastating as it could’ve been. Carrey, now 61, has portrayed many iconic comedy roles besides the Grinch, such as the titular characters in The Cable Guy and The Mask, with his career spanning over 40 years. Keeping that in mind, it’s unsurprising that Carrey announced he’d be retiring from acting in 2022 during a press interview. Carrey told Access Hollywood the following:
If the angels bring some sort of script that’s written in gold ink, that says to me that it’s going to be really important for people to see, I might continue down the road. But I’m taking a break. I really like my quiet life, and I really love putting paint on canvas, and I really love my spiritual life, and I feel like — and this is something you might never hear another celebrity say as long as time exists – I have enough.
Carrey has also shared in the past that he’s not a huge fan of sequels since he feels they’re usually more for commercial gain than narrative necessity. He shared, “When you put 10 years between you and the last time you did [a role], suddenly you’re going, ‘How did I do that again?’ So, you’re imitating your original inspiration” (via Cinemablend). Therefore, committing to a role like the Grinch over two decades after last portraying him might miss some of the eccentricity and physicality that made the character so great.
27 Wild Details Behind The Making Of Jim Carrey’s Grinch Movie
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a new classic thanks to Jim Carrey’s over-the-top performance. The movie succeeded despite behind-the-scenes issues.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas Has Become More Popular Over Time
When How The Grinch Stole Christmas was released in 2000, it had successful box-office results. Its opening weekend made up 21.4% of its gross earnings (via The Numbers). However, despite this, its critical reviews were mixed, with many stating the original 1966 animated adaptation was the best movie version of the Grinch because the story was in its purest form. Some criticism mentioned the 2000 film’s plot was weak with a dark tone, despite Carrey’s animated performance energizing it. Luckily, How The Grinch Stole Christmas‘ cult following draws attention to its merits, like meticulous costume design and make-up, Carrey’s performance, and the absurdity in the live-action sets.
15 Funniest Quotes From How The Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a holiday favorite for many fans, and thanks to Jim Carrey’s wild performance, it is filled with hilarious quotes.
Despite many years passing since the film’s original release, some opinions still vary at times. The film’s deviation from the source material to focus on the Grinch’s origin, while critiqued in the past, is arguably what makes it the perfect predecessor for a sequel that follows his personal journey in learning how to deal with failure. With the second book laying the foundation for a new story and proof that the Grinch can stand on its own, How The Grinch Stole Christmas 2 could be a success and provide a fresh perspective for fans of the franchise if it gets greenlit.
Sources: YouTube/Access Hollywood, Cinemablend, The Numbers
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
- Release Date:
- 2000-11-17
- Director:
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- Cast:
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- Rating:
- PG
- Runtime:
- 104 Minutes
- Genres:
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- Writers:
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- Budget:
- $123 Million
- Studio(s):
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- Distributor(s):
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- Franchise(s):
- Array
