How the Grinch Stole Christmas Sequel in Development with Jim Carrey and Ron Howard.
More than two decades after How the Grinch Stole Christmas became a holiday classic, Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment are officially developing a sequel — and the original creative team may be coming back to Whoville.
According to early reports, Jim Carrey is in talks to reprise his iconic role as the Grinch, while Ron Howard is expected to return as director. Howard will once again produce alongside his longtime Imagine Entertainment partner Brian Grazer. Although no contracts have been finalized, the project is moving forward with strong momentum.
Jim Carrey is in talks to reprise his role as the Grinch in a sequel to HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS.
Ron Howard is also expected to return as director. 🎄 pic.twitter.com/EWZziYAjQJ
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) June 18, 2026
A New Script from Veteran Comedy Writers
The untitled sequel is being written by a trio of acclaimed comedy creators:
- Alec Berg (Barry, Silicon Valley)
- Jeff Schaffer (Dave, Curb Your Enthusiasm)
- David Mandel (Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm)
The three previously collaborated on the 2003 Dr. Seuss adaptation The Cat in the Hat, giving them a unique familiarity with the tone and challenges of bringing Seuss’ world to life in live action.
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A Look Back at the 2000 Holiday Hit
Released just before Thanksgiving in 2000, How the Grinch Stole Christmas dominated the domestic box office, becoming the highest‑grossing film of the year in the United States with $260 million earned domestically and $345 million worldwide.
The film also won the Academy Award for Best Makeup, thanks to the transformative work of Rick Baker and Gail Rowell‑Ryan. Carrey has often spoken about the grueling process of becoming the Grinch — an ordeal that initially made him want to quit the production. He ultimately persevered with the help of a specialist who trained CIA operatives to endure extreme stress, and with improvements that reduced the daily makeup process from eight hours to three.
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The Enduring Legacy of the Grinch
The Grinch first appeared in 1957 in Dr. Seuss’ book inspired by his frustration with the commercialization of Christmas. The character became a cultural icon after the 1966 animated CBS special narrated by Boris Karloff, where animator Chuck Jones introduced the now‑famous green color.
The 2000 film has only grown in popularity thanks to streaming. For the past five years, it has consistently ranked among Nielsen’s top 10 most-watched holiday movies. During the two weeks surrounding Christmas last year, it reached No. 2 overall with 962 million minutes viewed, outperforming even the 2018 animated adaptation Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch.
What’s Next for the Sequel?
The new film is being overseen by Susan Brandt, CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Universal executives Britt Hennemuth and Christina Hoffrogge are also supervising the project.
While plot details remain under wraps, the return of Carrey and Howard suggests a sequel that aims to honor the spirit of the original while embracing the sharper comedic sensibilities of its new writing team.