This Is the Highest Grossing Christmas Movie of All Time

Ah, Christmas—the season of sparkling lights, cozy nights, and heartwarming traditions is here. But let’s admit it: movies are a must. Some people start their holiday movie marathon as soon as Halloween ends, while others wait until Thanksgiving or the first day of December.

No matter when you start, though, there’s something special about sitting down with a warm blanket, snacks, and a festive movie to get you in the holiday spirit. We’ve all got our favorite Christmas films.

Maybe it’s the nostalgia of Home Alone, the laughs from Elf, or the heartwarming story of The Polar Express. But this year, there’s a surprising movie that has topped them all at the box office. And, it’s not what you think. Home Alone fans, wait—your beloved film isn’t at the top anymore.

Hollywood has given us some amazing Christmas films, but not all of them make bank. Sorry, Klaus, Krampus, and Bad Santa, you’re not on this list. And as much as we love it, Die Hard doesn’t make the cut either. So, what’s the movie that’s taken the crown? You’re about to find out.

Discover the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time

The Grinch did it. Yep, the animated movie featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of the infamous Christmas curmudgeon has taken the crown. With this, it’s officially the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time.

Sorry, Home Alone, you’ve been dethroned. Dr. Seuss’ 2018 flick raked in $272.2 million domestically and earned a whopping $540 million globally (per Box Office Mojo). If you’re wondering how The Grinch could beat the Home Alone classic, here’s the secret: It’s fun, festive, and has a fresh spin on the old tale.

The movie features Cumberbatch voicing the iconic character, and his performance really stands out. The Grinch isn’t just the typical Scrooge; he’s got some heart—eventually. He tries to ruin Christmas for the people of Whoville by stealing presents and decorations, but he didn’t count on Cindy Lou Who.

She’s a sweet little girl who wants Santa’s help with her mom’s Christmas chores. As the Grinch tries to ruin everything, his plans start falling apart. Along the way, we get lots of laughs and watch him learn the true meaning of Christmas.

And let’s not forget that the movie was made by the same studio that gave us the Minions and Despicable Me films, which are known for their worldwide success.

When you put those kinds of creative minds behind a Christmas movie, you’re bound to have a hit. And The Grinch proved just that, raking in millions and claiming the number one spot for the highest-grossing Christmas movie ever.

How many movies have been made about the Grinch?

Now, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch isn’t the first time we’ve seen this green creature on screen. Oh no, he’s been around for decades. The Grinch has starred in a few different movies over the years, so how many Grinch films are there in total? There are three main movies, and here’s a breakdown of each one.

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

The original Grinch movie is a classic. It’s a 26-minute animated special that first aired in 1966. Even though it’s short, it’s still one of the most beloved holiday specials out there. This version of the Grinch is where we first hear the famous song You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.

It’s the movie that gave us the grumpy green guy, showing how he discovers the real spirit of Christmas. This heartwarming, simple special has become a holiday classic for generations.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2000)

In 2000, Jim Carrey took on the role of the Grinch in a live-action version. This movie is a bit more over-the-top than the 1966 special, thanks to Carrey’s zany performance. He brings his usual wild energy to the character, and his Grinch is both hilarious and a little scary at times.

This Grinch has a deeper backstory, explaining why he despises Christmas. It’s a fun, family-friendly film full of laughs and touching moments. Carrey’s portrayal of the Grinch is definitely one of the most memorable parts.

3. The Grinch (2018)

The 2018 version is another animated take on the classic story. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the Grinch in this version, and he brings a different flavor to the character. The animation is beautiful, and the film has a modern feel while staying true to Dr. Seuss’ original story.

In this version, the Grinch still tries to ruin Christmas, but he has a little more depth. He’s not just a simple villain; you can almost understand why he’s so bitter. And his dog, Max, is absolutely adorable. This version of The Grinch was a hit with audiences, and it helped the character reach a whole new generation of fans.

So, there you go. Three different Grinch movies, each offering a fresh spin on the classic tale. No matter which one you love, there’s no denying that the Grinch has become a staple of Christmas entertainment.

The Grinch could be back on the big screen soon

Guess what? There’s a chance we could see Jim Carrey’s Grinch again in the future. That’s right—Carrey has said he might return for a How the Grinch Stole Christmas sequel “if we could figure out the Grinch.” But he doesn’t want to go through all that painful makeup and prosthetics again. The 62-year-old said in an interview with Comic Book:

The thing about it is, on the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe. It was an extremely excruciating process. The children were in my mind all the time. ‘It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids.’ And now, with motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things. Anything is possible in this world.

If you’ve ever seen the 2000 film, you know that Carrey had to spend hours in the makeup chair to transform into the Grinch. And according to Carrey, it was a tough process. He said he could barely breathe, and it was really uncomfortable.

But there’s good news! Carrey has said that he would be willing to come back for another Grinch movie—if CGI and motion capture technology are used instead of the heavy makeup.

This would give Carrey more freedom to perform without having to go through hours of makeup and prosthetics. And it sounds like a pretty good deal, right? So, if there’s enough demand for it, we could definitely see the Grinch make another big-screen appearance. Fingers crossed!