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How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

  • TV Movie
  • 1966
  • Approved
  • 26m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
63K
YOUR RATING
Boris Karloff and Dal McKennon in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:17
7 Videos
99+ Photos
Hand-Drawn AnimationHoliday AnimationHoliday ComedyHoliday FamilyAnimationComedyFamilyFantasyHolidayMusical

A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.

  • Directors
    • Chuck Jones
    • Ben Washam
  • Writers
    • Dr. Seuss
    • Irv Spector
    • Bob Ogle
  • Stars
    • Boris Karloff
    • Thurl Ravenscroft
    • June Foray
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.3/10
    63K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Chuck Jones
      • Ben Washam
    • Writers
      • Dr. Seuss
      • Irv Spector
      • Bob Ogle
    • Stars
      • Boris Karloff
      • Thurl Ravenscroft
      • June Foray
    • 175User reviews
    • 41Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos7

    How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Special Edition (1966)
    Trailer 0:17
    How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Special Edition (1966)
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    Trailer 1:23
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    Trailer 1:23
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Special Edition (1966)
    Trailer 0:17
    How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Special Edition (1966)
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    Trailer 0:35
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    Clip 2:06
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    How The Grinch Stole Christmas Deluxe Edition: Light Won't Light
    Clip 1:59
    How The Grinch Stole Christmas Deluxe Edition: Light Won't Light

    Photos115

    View Poster
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    + 108
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    Top cast4

    Edit
    Boris Karloff
    Boris Karloff
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    • …
    Thurl Ravenscroft
    • Singer
    • (uncredited)
    • …
    June Foray
    June Foray
    • Cindy Lou Who
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Dal McKennon
    Dal McKennon
    • Max
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Chuck Jones
      • Ben Washam
    • Writers
      • Dr. Seuss
      • Irv Spector
      • Bob Ogle
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews175

    8.363.3K
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    Featured reviews

    movies2u

    The Best Christmas Story Ever.

    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) is the best Christmas movie ever. Christmas is my favorite holiday, so I really love Christmas movies. The 2000 version of The Grinch can't beat this classic original one. The new Grinch with Jim Carrey is really great, but the original is even better. I give How the Grinch Stole Christmas a 10 out of 10!!! :)
    8emasterslake

    Dr. Suess + Chuck Jones equals to a classic cartoon.

    This has been a favorite Holiday cartoon since I was a kid.

    Not only is it based off of a Dr. Suess book, the whole cartoon is done with Chuck Jones' Style.

    Plus Boris Karloff is the voice of the grinch, and the Grinch song is sang by the guy who originally did Tony the Tiger.

    The story involves this town of Whoville with citizens known as Whos. They love Christmas a lot. But the Grinch who lived high on a mountain top did not. He hates Christmas and the Whos so much he plans to steal it from the Whos. By dressing up as Santa Claus and rob every thing the Whos own.

    Has the stuff you'd find in an average Chuck Jones cartoon. Including the style of the characters, Wille Coyoate like gizmos and Gadgets, and plenty of comedic elements.

    The story to it is perfect. It's very memorable and enjoyable to see again and again.

    It's highly recommend to Dr. Suess, Chuck Jones, Animation, and Holiday Fans.

    It's a great Holiday Toon.
    10shark-43

    The True, Original Classic!

    There is only one TRUE version of the GRINCH and this is it. Practically perfect, this little cartoon has all the heart andbite and sweetness of the classic book. Between Karloff's wonderful reading and Chuck Jones' spirited animation and direction, this is a Christmas masterpiece. I cant begin to hide my contempt for the mega-budgeted, bloated, all flash disaster that Ron Howard made recently. Hey, fine, go crazy, what worries me is that small kids will ONLY see the Jim Carrey's latex puppet mess andnot the original. PLEASE seek this out for your kids. It is beautiful.
    10medrjel

    A Cartoon only a GRINCH could hate

    This is the classic. The Best. When it comes to christmas cartoons, this is one of only 2 cartoons that really captures the Christmas Spirit outside of the religious and social aspects of the holiday. And what is not to love with Boris Karloff narrating, Chuck Jones animating, and a story by the loveable Dr Seuss himself!
    mermatt

    One of the best Christmas cartoons

    This is one of the few Christmas shows that deserves its reputation. It never dips into mawkishness and yet makes its point. Chuck Jones gives us a Grinch who has the madcap qualities of Bugs Bunny (and even looks a bit like the waskely wabbit).

    The narration and voice of the Grinch are by Boris Karloff, a wonderful choice. The music is clever, and the animation is excellent.

    This classic certainly will withstand not only the test of time but also the competition of the live-action version which is unfortunately an example of a big budget and tons of FX burying a sweet, touching, and simple story. Go ahead and see the live-action version -- it has its moments. But definitely see this cartoon version.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Boris Karloff's voice changes when he speaks for the Grinch. Originally he spoke in his "Narrator" voice throughout. After recording was complete, the highs in his voice were mechanically removed for the Grinch, giving him the gravelly voice heard in the finished version.
    • Goofs
      As the Grinch closes the bedroom door, the part of the coat visible between his arm and collar are left unpainted.
    • Quotes

      Narrator: He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!

    • Crazy credits
      The complete credit for Boris Karloff in the opening credits reads as follows: "the sounds of the Grinch are by Boris Karloff... and read by Boris Karloff too!"
    • Alternate versions
      American network TV prints often eliminate the verse from "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" that begins, "You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch." In addition, a sequence showing the Grinch leering at a little girl with an evil grin is usually deleted.
    • Connections
      Edited into In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Overture
      (1966) (uncredited)

      (includes "Welcome Christmas")

      Music by Albert Hague

      Conducted by Eugene Poddany

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    FAQ2

    • Is this a short film?
    • What are the words to Welcome Christmas?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1966 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
    • Production companies
      • The Cat in the Hat Productions
      • MGM Television
      • Chuck Jones Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 26m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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