DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
An entertaining Christmas fantasy that asks what Christmas is really about.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. Jim Carrey gives the Grinch comic energy, while the film surrounds its familiar story with excellent fantasy, music, pacing, visual effects, and special effects. At its heart, the movie retains the message that Christmas is about more than presents and gifts.
The film also recognizes that people are flawed and need repentance, forgiveness, and a renunciation of meanness and vengeance. Cindy Lou Who’s questions help the story look beyond Christmas consumerism, even if it never clearly identifies what that “more” is.
Parents should know about a few regrettable scatological jokes and cartoon acts of violence that children may imitate. Still, this is a well-made family fantasy with a good-hearted moral center, so take your family to see it—with a brief conversation first for younger children.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESThe Grinch lives high above Whoville, where the Whos are preparing for their favorite holiday: Christmas. He hates the celebration and sneaks into town to cause confusion.
Cindy Lou Who wonders whether Christmas is really just about buying and exchanging presents. When she encounters the Grinch, she begins asking questions about him and his place in Whoville. Her concern leads the Whos to offer him an invitation—and gives the Grinch a reason to return to the town he despises.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an excellent family fantasy, and the film earns that rating through its craftsmanship. The fantasy, pacing, music, action, adventure, visual effects, special effects, and production values work together to draw you into the story. Jim Carrey plays the Grinch superbly, and Taylor Momsen brings Cindy Lou Who to life with brilliance.
The movie is also entertaining and sweet without losing its central moral message. Its few weaknesses are the infrequent scatological humor, imitable slapstick violence, and the absence of a clear statement about Jesus Christ. Even so, the production is a wonderful treat with a delightful ending.
The Worldview
The film asks whether Christmas is about presents and gifts or something deeper. It exalts love, family, care for the needy, and concern for the outcast. Cindy Lou Who challenges the Whos to look beyond their materialism, while the Grinch eventually confronts his self-pity, anger, meanness, and vengefulness.
The movie also presents a world marked by moral failure. The Grinch is mean, but the Whos are flawed too, especially the mayor. The story points toward repentance, forgiveness, and a renunciation of sin, although it never actually names sin. Its romantic worldview elements are present, but they do not control the story.
The film’s greatest weakness is spiritual clarity. It points toward something “more” in Christmas, but it never says that Jesus Christ is the real reason for the season. Cindy’s father identifies family, but the story itself suggests that the answer is more than family and more than love.
The film’s longing for a Christmas meaning beyond possessions reaches toward the truth that “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Moral worldview marred by some romantic worldview notions & very lightweight & very infrequent scatalogical humor; no foul language but some scatalogical humor including Grinch places mistletoe near his rear-end, Grinch gives sleeping man having a romantic dream the rear of a dog to kiss & Grinch falls on top of woman with low cut dress; slapstick violence including monster pops out of Grinch cave which turns out to be a carnival-like dummy with a dog barking into a megaphone, Grinch eats glass, Grinch hits himself with mallet as a sedative, Grinch places his head between monkey banging cymbals to avoid the sounds of Christmas, & Grinch has termites in his teeth; no sexual activity, however some references including Christmas party where keys are being exchanged, Martha May Whovier makes sexual references & Grinch falls on top of her with his head on her chest; no nudity but Martha May wears suggestive outfits; Grinch eats wine bottle but does not drink alcohol and later then takes a swig from a bottle labeled “XXX”; and, Grinch overcomes self-pity, anger, meanness, & vengefulness.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Cindy Lou asks whether Christmas is about more than presents. What does your family believe Christmas is really about?
Luke 2:10–11 · Matthew 6:19–21The Grinch and the Whos both show selfishness and meanness. How do repentance and forgiveness change the way we treat people?
Acts 3:19 · Ephesians 4:31–32Cindy stands up for caring for the needy and loving the outcast. Who might need welcome and practical care from your family this Christmas?
Deuteronomy 15:11 · James 2:14–17The Grinch’s slapstick actions are funny but dangerous to imitate. How can wisdom help us distinguish between entertainment and behavior worth copying?
Proverbs 14:16 · 1 Corinthians 6:12The Final Word
This is one of the most entertaining family fantasies in a long while. It offers strong production values, a good-hearted message, and a reminder that Christmas is more than presents, even while its humor and lack of direct reference to Jesus deserve discussion. WORTH THE TRIP for families seeking a fun Christmas fantasy.
