The horrid, evil, soft and lovely character of the Grinch has graced television screens for well over half a century in one form or another, with each and every one being deeply different and unique. From Boris Karloff's classic to Benedict Cumberbatch's new one, each version of the character carries with it a different intent, audience, and era. For some reason, the story of an evil curmudgeon who utterly despises Christmas a la A Christmas Carol and actually destroys (or, perhaps more accurately, steals) Christmas resonates throughout generations.

It's strange to say, however, that one Grinch, in particular, takes the cake, as they all carry with them not only pilfered bags but a unique appeal and differential objective. To that end, deciding what is best among them is simply impossible. However, it is certainly possible to look at the version of the Grinch that had the greatest influence on popular culture given its environment and appeals to the widest group of people with the greatest consistency. To that end, the best answer to the strongest Grinch movie is quite straightforward, as Jim Carrey's 2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas continues to stand out as brilliantly watchable, funny and enjoyable just barely above its animated competition.

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Karloff's Grinch Is a Classic Beyond Equal

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Sleigh

The first Grinch movie, 1966's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a classic. With a voice by Boris Karloff and influence from the still-living author of the book it's based upon, it's a lovely cartoon intended for children that gave audiences all of the classic Grinch songs, most importantly "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," written by Dr. Seuss himself and sung in a comedic baritone by Thurl Ravencroft. The entire special represents a well-crafted 26-minute show, and it is as enduring as it is a lesson on Christmas and giving -- or, perhaps more accurately, taking.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! stands out above many such Christmas specials for its rewatchability. The only reason that this classic doesn't headline the bunch is because it isn't feature-length, thereby not allowing Karloff's spine-tingling Grinch to become any semblance of his own character. The special also didn't have a lot of competent competition, meaning that it didn't have to sound itself out from among the throng of modern movies and television. It is, however, an incredible Grinchy tale and the best way to see where it all started.

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Cumberbatch's Grinch Is a Cute and Cuddly Antithesis

the grinch looking annoyed wearing a scarf

In terms of a pure modern children's movie, Benedict Cumberbatch's Grinch from 2018's The Grinch takes the cake. The movie takes a far more standard approach to the Grinch mythos, as the vast majority of the plot beyond the stealing of Christmas serves more as funny filler than actual character development. Cumberbatch's Grinch is more lovable for a variety of reasons, and his Grinch ultimately inhabits a fun world as a bright, enjoyable character.

In spite of what Tyler, the Creator's revamped version of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" may state, this Grinch is just a grouchy green teddy bear who is fun to see pratfall every now and again. As a children's movie, The Grinch is great. It disappoints, however, in its staying power with its antithetical version of the Grinch as a being that isn't nasty but just a grumpy cutie. For that reason, it is the worst among the Grinch adaptations, though not by any large amount; it's still a wonderful watch.

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Jim Carrey's Grinch Carried Complexity, Hilarity and Sweetness

Jim Carrey as the Grinch

Though it seems odd that the darkest movie would be the best one among these, Jim Carrey's Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a shockingly original version of the character that fully earns every line and every laugh. With several masterfully and genuinely funny moments from the green cretin, Carrey's Grinch has motivations and complexity far beyond what should ever be expected of a character from a short children's book and 26-minute special. Every major character is given intimate and careful motivation, and the movie's funniest moments still hold up with the sympathetic Grinch after over two decades.

This Grinch is also quotable, sings his own theme song (which is just as cringy and awful as it should be) and is really, really gross. It also shows one of the sweetest moments in Christmas movie history, when Cindy Lou Who -- the childlike heart and soul of wonder in the movie -- looks past the Grinch's exterior one more time and -- after he lists off all the ways that his own song calls him awful -- she says that he is simply "warm." It's a heartfelt and loving tribute to the original while standing above the popular culture of the 2000s to be something truly unique.

Jim Carrey is an unparalleled actor both in comedy and drama, and his Grinch managed to bring that considerable talent to bear over a feature-length runtime. The movie is true to the character of the Grinch and the spirit of Christmas while adding in so much of its own originality that works even when it shouldn't. Though all three should make any Christmas watchlist, if a person only has time for one, Carrey's version appeals to kids and adults alike and should be the one selected -- even if it is a mean one.