Jim Carrey Might Return As The Grinch In New Grinch Movie 

In a surprising update, Jim Carrey may return for a new Grinch movie. More than two decades after How the Grinch Stole Christmas became the highest-grossing domestic film of 2000, Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment are reportedly moving forward with a sequel to the live-action holiday classic, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The original film, directed by Ron Howard and starring Jim Carrey, earned $260 million domestically and $345 million worldwide. It also won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and has remained a holiday favorite, consistently appearing in Nielsen’s top 10 streaming rankings for five consecutive years.

Development is underway on an untitled sequel. While no deals have been finalized, several key figures from the original are reportedly in talks to return. Jim Carrey is said to be negotiating to reprise his role as the Grinch, while Ron Howard is expected to return as director. Howard and Brian Grazer would also produce through Imagine Entertainment, the company behind the 2000 film.

Is Jim Carrey Returning For A New Grinch Movie? 

A still from How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Credits: Universal Pictures

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jim Carrey is in negotiations to reprise his role as the Grinch, the famously grouchy green character he first brought to life more than 20 years ago. Ron Howard, who directed the original film, is also reportedly set to return, along with producer Brian Grazer. Although nothing has been officially confirmed, the involvement of these familiar names suggests the sequel is gaining serious momentum.

The project’s current writers are Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, and David Mandel. Berg and Schaffer are best known for acclaimed series such as Barry, Veep, Silicon Valley, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Mandel has also previously collaborated with them on adaptations, including The Cat in the Hat.

When How the Grinch Stole Christmas was released in 2000, it became a major commercial success, grossing more than $260 million in North America and over $345 million worldwide. The film also won the Oscar for Best Makeup, with Rick Baker and Gail Rowell-Ryan recognized for their transformative work on Carrey’s character.

Carrey has previously spoken about how physically demanding the role was. In an interview with Vulture, he revealed that the makeup process took about eight hours each day. He said the experience was so exhausting that he considered leaving the production on the very first day and returning his $20 million salary. He also described using unusual coping techniques during filming, including advice from a specialist who trained CIA operatives to handle extreme psychological stress.

Despite the challenges behind the scenes, the film has endured as a holiday staple. It has ranked among Nielsen’s top 10 most-streamed holiday movies for the past five years. The Hollywood Reporter also noted that during the two weeks surrounding Christmas in 2018, the movie ranked second overall among streamed films, with 962 million minutes watched. It trailed only Home Alone and outperformed Illumination’s 2018 animated adaptation of the story.

Whether Jim Carrey ultimately returns remains to be seen, but the possibility of reuniting the original creative team has already generated plenty of excitement among fans.

Do you think Jim Carrey will return for a new Grinch movie? Tell us in the comments below!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey, is currently available to stream on Netflix.