The Grinch (2018) 🎄🐐

Let’s start by showing y’all the trailers, shall we? 📽️

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Non-Spoiler Plot Rundown

Ok, I don’t need to bore you with the same details — it’s the same How the Grinch Stole Christmas plot you already know from the original and Jim Carrey versions… except this time, Illumination (Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets) is steering the sleigh. The Grinch is voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch — or as I like to call him, Eggs Benedict Cumbersnap — and let me tell you right now: he’s not my favorite Grinch. I only like him as Doctor Strange. 🪄

Here, the Grinch isn’t a mean, grumpy recluse — he’s more like a guy who just… kinda needs a hug. 🤷‍♂️ He actually walks into Whoville to shop. Yep, no total isolation, no lurking above town glaring at everyone. He’s on friendly-ish terms with the townsfolk. And Max? Treated like a best friend, not a long-suffering dog servant like in the first two versions. 🐶

Cindy Lou is given a full subplot where she’s a tomboy-ish kid whose big plan is to kidnap Santa to ask him for help because her single mom is struggling. Which, y’know… I totally remember being in the original Dr. Seuss book… oh wait. 🙄

It’s a much softer, less harsh Grinch story. The ending moral leans into “If you’re lonely, make a friend!” which is… yeah, thanks, movie, I think most people got that one without a screaming CGI goat to drive it home. 🐐


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Pros 👍

Bright, colorful Illumination animation

Max actually gets treated well here 🐾

Cindy Lou’s mom subplot adds some human warmth


Cons 👎

Benedict Cumberbatch’s voice choice feels wrong for the Grinch

Takes away the bite the Grinch should have

Grinch’s loneliness feels like an easy-fix problem — “just go talk to people” level

That goat… 🤦‍♂️

Also who decided turning the you’re a mean one into a rap song was a good idea? Just uh listen to this

Uhhhhhhh I just can’t, I just can’t.

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Final Thoughts 💭

It’s… fine. Not great, not awful. More “Grinch Lite” than “Grinch Classic.” Kids will like it, but adults might miss the edge.

Rating: 5/10 🎯


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🚨 Spoiler Breakdown 🚨

Ok, here’s where we spill the candy canes.

The Grinch’s whole plan plays out the same — disguise as Santa, steal Christmas, realize Christmas is more than presents. But in this version, he actually heads into town multiple times before the big heist, so it’s weird when everyone’s shocked later.

Cindy Lou’s storyline is padded out with her organizing her friends to help her capture Santa. She even sets up traps like a miniature Home Alone operation. 🪤 Her goal? Get Santa to help her mom because she works too much and doesn’t get enough rest. This is the kind of Hallmark Channel subplot that has nothing to do with the Grinch’s actual arc, but okay.

During the heist, the Grinch has softer moments — like not being outright cruel to Max and even giving him little pep talks. No sled-whipping here. The biggest “mean” act is him taking decorations and food, but even that’s played in a “comedy oops” way instead of mean-spirited.

The big change: when he hears the Whos singing, his change of heart comes less from realizing the meaning of Christmas and more from… realizing he’s lonely and could have just made a friend. He then goes to return everything, Cindy invites him to dinner, and he actually accepts right away. The final scene is him carving the roast beast at the table.

Oh, and then… the goat. Out of nowhere, this random screaming goat shows up, because apparently Illumination needed a meme. End credits roll. 🐐🎬