The 2018 Grinch remake isn’t the worst Christmas movie on Netflix. It’s too bland and unenthusiastic to offend. Despite an expectedly massive box office take, critics offered decidedly mixed opinions on the film. The most notable conversation surrounding Illumination’s second Dr. Seuss-inspired mess involves questions about whether it should exist. Since no one has talked about this film in a decade, its place on Netflix’s top ten is shocking. It’s all the more surprising because it’s an adaptation of a Christmas classic garnering attention in mid-March.
The Grinch Remake Steals a Spot on Netflix’s Top Ten a Few Months Late
The Grinch adapts Dr. Seuss’ 1957 classic for the third time. The 1966 TV special still lives in the hearts of at least three generations. It’s an unquestioned Christmas standard annually lighting up millions of TVs across the world. I know Boris Karloff’s Grinch is still the one most people picture when they consider the green meanie. Jim Carrey’s take on the character in Ron Howard’s 2000 adaptation lives in some people’s nightmares. Alongside the live-action Cat in the Hat, Howard’s Grinch is a bizarre, high-camp mess that attracts a specific crowd. Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney’s Grinch remake garners no attention in either direction. It’s a dull, safe, oddly charmless affair brought to life with some impressive visuals. Illumination specializes in projects like this one. They’re bad presents buried in expensive wrapping paper. I wouldn’t deprive children of a new Christmas experience, but The Grinch won’t stick with anyone.
The Grinch owes its current boom to Latin American viewers. It’s number nine worldwide, but several nations have it in the top five. The film is number three in Chile and number four in Argentina, Guatemala, Ecuador, and several other countries. Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago also rate the remake highly. If you’re in the United States, as I am, you’ll discover The Grinch is unavailable on Netflix here. Most cultures that celebrate Christmas agree on its general timeframe. Christmas in March isn’t a thing, even in the questionable fashion of Christmas in July. The only logical explanation is a widespread desire to take another hit of the Christmas spirit while it’s still cold out. I can’t blame the people of 21 countries when they celebrate their favorite holidays. I can recommend several superior offerings in the genre.
The Grinch made an absurd amount of money at the box office. It raked in $526.7 million on a $75 million budget. Illumination’s formula is profitable, but it’s rarely inspiring. The studio behind the Minions earned some goodwill through their Super Mario Bros. Movie, but most of their films fail to capture their source material. Anyone looking for Christmas movies on Netflix has better options. The Grinch remake lacks anything that will make your heart grow, but it’ll keep the kids busy for almost four times as long as the classic original.
