Jim Carrey or Benedict Cumberbatch? Who is the better Grinch?

Nothing quite captures the holiday spirit like enjoying sugar cookies, a crackling fire, wrapping gifts, and watching The Grinch. But here’s the real holiday dilemma: which Grinch movie do you watch? Surprisingly, it seems one version is currently more popular than the other on streaming platforms.

 

Who is the better Grinch amongst Jim Carrey or Benedict Cumberbatch?

According to Flix Patrol, The Grinch (2018), which stars Benedict Cumberbatch, is currently ranked as the number two movie on Netflix, while the 2000 version, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey, is sitting at number ten. It’s one of those Christmas debates that really gets people talking — right up there with questions like which side of the family should host dinner, whether that one relative who always rants should be invited, and what the main holiday meal should be.

When it comes to critical reception, How the Grinch Stole Christmas has a 59% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter, while Cumberbatch’s version has a slightly lower 53%. While neither rating screams “cinematic masterpiece,” both films have firmly earned their place as holiday classics, just like those cheesy Hallmark movies we love to watch.

Box office numbers also tell an interesting story. Carrey’s 2000 version grossed an impressive $78.2 million domestically when it first hit theaters and went on to gross over $540 million globally. Meanwhile, Cumberbatch’s 2018 animated film earned $346.6 million worldwide.

It’s tough to choose between the two Grinches, but Carrey’s portrayal still holds a special place for many. When people think of the Grinch, it’s often Carrey’s face that comes to mind — with that perfectly evil, yet comically puzzled expression. He brought a unique kind of humor to the character, making the Grinch both scary and funny. Cumberbatch’s performance in the animated movie is also noteworthy. Co-director Scott Mosier mentioned that they specifically chose him for his ability to balance the Grinch’s mean streak with a deeper, more emotional side.

There’s an interesting bit of trivia about who gets to play the Grinch, though. The Dr. Seuss Estate has strict guidelines for how the character is portrayed, and actors have to meet specific height and frame requirements to take on the role. A letter from Seuss’s widow, Audrey Geisel, named actors like Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, and Jack Nicholson as possible Grinches.

While streaming platforms may be showing love for The Grinch (2018), both Cumberbatch and Carrey can feel proud to have been part of these beloved adaptations of Dr. Seuss’s classic story. In 2018, Cumberbatch shared that the movie’s themes of love and goodness are what make it special, and that message of warmth still resonates with viewers.

But if you want to give Carrey’s version some extra credit, you might want to know that he had a tough time filming. He told Entertainment Weekly that wearing the Grinch suit was so uncomfortable that an expert was brought in to teach him how to deal with the physical torture of it. Now that’s some dedication to the role!

As Christmas approaches, there may be a shift in streaming preferences, and Carrey’s version might move up in the rankings. Maybe, just like a Christmas miracle, both versions will end up tied in the popularity race.

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