He’s a meme one, Mr. Grinch, or at least that’s the current pop culture identity of the iconic Dr. Seuss creation.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the beloved illustrated Seuss book that many of us first experienced as a story read to us as children, initially became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its timeless themes about how Christmas can be found not only in gifts but also in the hearts of all—even the grumpiest of green meanies.
Translated into many languages and then adapted into the 1966 cartoon special by Looney Tunes legend Chuck Jones, the black-and-white, red-eyed character turned green because “it was the color of Chuck Jones’ rental car at the time he began illustrating the Grinch for animation,” according to Susan Brandt, CEO and president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the company that shepherds the works of Theodore Geisel.
“However, it stuck with audiences and continues to resonate because it is one of the core Christmas colors, so it works well with the other existing elements of the season,” she continued, explaining why Dr. Seuss Enterprises decided to adopt the green Grinch as his official look.
My dad experienced the Spanish version of the cartoon as a Looney Tunes fan in Mexico, and it was one of the first holiday movies he passed down to me when he found it playing on our local television station during the holidays in the ’90s. As an early reader, he got me into the book; together, we explored the rest of the Seuss library. It made me love language, all thanks to that Grinch.
As much as we know Santa, I’d say millennials particularly take ownership of the Grinch resurgence. We were kids when the Jim Carrey movie came out 25 years ago. Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas introduced the world to the best live-action Dr. Seuss universe; it’s brought to the screen with whimsy and wonder, and Carrey’s comedic Grinchy chaos solidified the character as a cinematic Christmas icon.
Brandt discussed with io9 how Carrey’s version has helped define the iconic character. “The 2000 film brought the Grinch to life in a relatable way that revealed more of his humanity, humor, and sensitivities,” she said. “Jim Carrey’s boisterous personality and one-of-a-kind performance and the Grinch’s striking visual features allowed him to establish a voice and a look no one had encountered before.”
That same energy has become a tradition carried out at Universal Studios for its annual Grinchmas holiday season. In the theme park setting, kids get an immersive experience of Whoville. They meet the Grinch in his Santa suit and eat Who Hash or Who Pudding while listening to Cindy Lou Who tell the famous story. The Grinch’s arc that plays out during Grinchmas is, without a doubt, one of the earliest forms of immersive theater at theme parks.
It’s easy to understand why the Grinch has become an annual sensation at Universal Studios. The Green One is relatable. Being jolly isn’t always a given during the season; it’s supposed to be found and shared—it’s imperfect and spontaneous. We witness the Whoville townsfolk talk about him all day and take part in seeing his crowning moment of embracing the holiday during the tree lighting ceremony, complete with Cindy Lou Who interactions, that pesky Mayor, and Martha May Who’s festive flirtations with the Grinch.
Grinchmas is also enduring because the actors who portray him at Universal Studios have nailed that chaotic Carrey energy—to the point that these days, the Grinch often goes viral. And even beyond the theme parks, the Grinch has made a tradition of stealing the official Dr. Seuss account during the holidays.
Last year he kicked things off with “get ready with me for the season” thirst posts, and this year’s cheeky vibes have been no different. It’s kind of wild that Seuss embraces the hilarious, innocent-innuendo energy that Carrey’s Grinch had with Martha May Who (played in the 2000 movie with delicious aplomb by Christine Baranski). The Grinch knows he’s crush-worthy, and he’s his own biggest admirer.
The off-kilter comedy of Y2K has enjoyed a recent resurgence, and on social media, the Grinch knows how to influence it.
There’s a ridiculous Grinch Meal at McDonald’s that is such a great bit. I’ve fallen for it myself and tried the Grinch salt fries, which are dill-pickle flavored. (They tasted great until I had to crawl to my Tums bottle—which I should have braced myself for.) There are Grinch Crocs, the shoe that Gen Z will forever be synonymous with.
There’s even a rock cover of “Where Are You Christmas?” by the Pretty Reckless, fronted by Cindy Lou Who actress Taylor Momsen. The single is, of course, tied to the re-release of the live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas, in which she starred opposite Carrey.
And despite Illumination’s efforts in 2018 to bring an animated retelling of Seuss’ classic to a new generation, the live-action shadow continues to loom large. Carrey’s take on the character was mean and scary but also alluring and charismatic. The Grinch’s unpredictability made him feel like a cartoon come to life on screen; he also went to some dark places before stealing Christmas then really earning his heart growing three sizes.
However, Seuss has managed to find a Grinch heir apparent whose casting is almost too perfect. Walmart’s holiday ads feature Fallout‘s Walton Goggins in the role.
According to Brandt, the actor’s Grinch stint had its own viral beginnings, owing to his preexisting ad campaign with the retailer. “Many comments were made on social media about how he looked like the Grinch and how they’d love it if he played the Grinch at some point,” the Dr. Seuss Enterprises executive explained. “The team at Walmart saw these conversations and approached us about bringing it to life.”
Brandt continued. “We wanted Walton to bring his own personality and aura of ‘cool’ to the role, and we are thrilled with the result.”
Goggins’ raspy growls and enigmatic comedic energy are what the Grinch needs, if anyone else is going to take the mantle. Of course, the downside is that it came from Walmart corporate bucks. But damn, is it too good! Animated, live-action, or simply dressed up in a suit by a fireplace for a YouTube video reading the storybook, we’ll take Goggins’ Grinch any-who-what-way.
That’s a testament to why people still gravitate to the Grinch, 68 years since the book was first published. His imperfections and chaotic nature remain relatable in a world where things can be hard and mean, but community can hopefully help mitigate some of that.
“The Grinch continues to be a heartwarming source of humor, fun, and honesty that most families have adopted to be an integral part of their holiday traditions.” Brandt said. “We all have a little of his grumpiness and irreverence in us.”
So while we await the evolution of Goggins’ Grinch, there’s always going to be another Grinch podcast, social media rizz, or memelord post as we continue to embrace that unique Grinch magic for generations to come.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
