The Grinch
Performance & Direction: The Grinch Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Grinch (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Family.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Family is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Grinch features a noteworthy lineup led by Benedict Cumberbatch . Supported by the likes of Rashida Jones and Kenan Thompson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Grinch (2018) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.9/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Grinch
Quick Plot Summary: The Grinch is a Family, Comedy, Animation film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. The Grinch hatches a scheme to ruin Christmas when the residents of Whoville plan their annual holiday celebration. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: The Grinch
Ending Breakdown: The Grinch concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to family resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the family themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Grinch reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Grinch?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Family films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Grinch
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $75.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $508.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Grinch Budget
The estimated production budget for The Grinch is $75.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Grinch
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Where to Watch The Grinch Online?
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YouTubeThe Grinch Parents Guide & Age Rating
2018 AdvisoryWondering about The Grinch age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Grinch is 85 minutes (1h 25m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, The Grinch is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Grinch worth watching?
The Grinch is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Family movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Grinch parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Grinch identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Grinch?
The total duration of The Grinch is 85 minutes, which is approximately 1h 25m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Grinch
After hearing negative reviews from others I was reluctant to see this one at first but I went with my gut feeling and saw it and wow I am so happy I did this movie made my Christmas already it's just what we need in the world today a movie about people putting aside their differences and enjoying just being together
So I paid £7 to fall asleep! Alas, even my kids aged 11 and 14 found it uninteresting. Grandma came along, she loves all animation films, but even this failed to capture her interest. We were expecting some new twists in an already well-known tale, but hey-ho, not this time.
The Grinch was a movie I really wanted to see before Christmas but life was so busy and I just didn't have enough time. I am so glad I finally managed to see it. LIKED: - the animation is absolutely stunning! all of the colours and the contrast with the snow was amazing. - Max was the most adorable puppy ever! for some reason, it reminded me of Dobby a bit :D - a big part of the story was told in verse and there were many quotes taken directly from the book. DISLIKED: - I kind of wanted more songs - Grinch wasn't portrayed as mean as I expected OVERALL: It was cute, adorable and very Christmasy! Yes, it was cheesy but it is supposed to be like that. I think I prefer it as an animation.
It was a little too eccentric. I would've thought they would make the storyline similar to the 2000 remake, this time with Jim Carrey voicing the bullying mayor! Still, this film had its laughs, along with a voice cameo from Made in Chelsea's Toff!
A much more family friendly story about 'The Grinch'. I like it. It has a few issues but still does most things right, it's definitely solely made for families but that's not a negative - it does make sense to make an animated version of this Dr. Seuss book. With that noted, I don't rate Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role. I don't think his voice suits the role at all, it needed someone who sounds more menacing and treacherous. I never felt, away from his obvious acts, any horrid side to Grinch here - though perhaps that suits the aforementioned family vibe they were aiming for. Away from Cumberbatch, I thoroughly enjoyed Pharrell Williams' narration and it's cool to hear Angela Lansbury in a minor role. The plot to this 2018 film is solid, but the thing about it that stands out most to me is the humour - which I found consistently amusing, there are some funny gags in there. Overall, this is a film I'll look back on as being good - even if it could've been greater, especially with a more suitable lead. If we're comparing this and the 2000 production, I think I prefer this one? It's close, Jim Carrey is great in that but this one's pacing is much better.
If I were a child, I would love it, but I am a grown-up man 😔 The Grinch picture is so bright, so contrasting, so my eyes were satisfied enough. The Grinch itself is designed very attractively, which is good for children, but it's hard to believe that this character can be as mean as the Grinch should be. Unfortunately, the story itself is quite predictable, and it's hard to keep your eyes open during the whole movie. While this is not bad for children, it may not appeal to a grown-up audience 🤷♂️ His transformation at the end, where his heart grows, was too fast and lacked sufficient explanation. I couldn't believe that I hadn't missed a crucial part leading to this transformation, so I watched it twice and didn't find that part. 9 - for a young me 6 - for the current me
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.









