The beloved Grinch, that grumpy green creature, has captured the hearts of many during the holiday season. From his first appearance in a 1957 children's book by Dr. Seuss to inspiring three movies and a plethora of merchandise, he continues to be a favorite. If you're a Grinch enthusiast, all three movies are at your fingertips, ready to be rented or streamed. Let's dive into the details of when these movies were released, their descriptions, and where you can watch them.

Uncover the Grinch's Holiday Journey

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (1966 Animated TV Movie)

In this classic animated tale, directed by Chuck Jones, Boris Karloff brought the Grinch to life with his distinctive voice. The Grinch, with a heart "two sizes too small," resides in a cave on Mount Crumpit near Whoville and holds a deep-seated hatred for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, he dons a Santa Claus disguise and, with the help of his loyal dog Max, attempts to thwart Christmas by stealing all the Whos' presents, decorations, and food. However, his efforts fail to dampen the spirits of the Whoville residents.This movie showcases the Grinch's initial grumpiness and his failed attempt to ruin Christmas, setting the stage for the subsequent adaptations.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2000)

Jim Carrey took on the role of the Grinch in this live-action adaptation, while Taylor Momsen played Cindy Lou Who. Cindy tries her best to include the Grinch in the Whoville holiday festivities, but he remains stubborn. The Grinch steals all the Christmas trappings, but Cindy Lou Who's actions help the town realize that the true meaning of Christmas lies within themselves. This movie emphasizes the transformation of the Grinch and his newfound understanding of the holiday.It shows how a single act of kindness can change a person's perspective and bring out the best in them.

"The Grinch" (2018)

In this animated version, Benedict Cumberbatch voices the Grinch, and Cameron Seely brings Cindy Lou Who to life. Cindy encounters the Grinch when she goes to the North Pole to seek Santa's help for her mother. Instead, she accidentally captures the Grinch as he tries to steal from the Whos. Despite this, the Whos celebrate Christmas with great enthusiasm, and the Grinch realizes his mistake.This adaptation focuses on Cindy's role in the story and how her actions lead to the Grinch's epiphany, highlighting the power of community and the spirit of Christmas.You can watch the 1966 made-for-TV movie version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" on Hulu and Sling TV with a premium subscription. Hulu offers a monthly plan for $7.99 (or $79.99/year) with ads, and students can get it for $1.99 a month. For an ad-free experience, it costs $17.99 a month.The 2000 live-action movie starring Jim Carrey isn't included in any streaming service subscriptions currently. It can be rented for $3.99 on Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, Fandango at Home, and Amazon Prime Video, and bought for $14.99 on the same platforms.The 2018 animated adaptation, "The Grinch," starring Benedict Cumberbatch, is available on Peacock for free with a subscription or on Sling TV with a premium subscription. It can also be rented for $3.99 on Google Play Movies & TV, Fandango at Home, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video. A premium monthly plan on Peacock costs $7.99, and a premium annual plan is $79.99. The premium plus plan, which is ad-free, costs $13.99 per month or $139.99 a year.We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.