The Grinch
Universal Pictures | Release Date: November 9, 2018 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
51
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
14
Negative:
6
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
EmpireAmy WestNov 12, 2018
Despite its story-telling ambition being two sizes too small (much like its hairy protagonist’s heart), The Grinch is impossibly cute, visually rich and boasts enough festive fun to satisfy young viewers. Read full review
60
Time OutDave CalhounNov 8, 2018
This new version features the voice of Pharrell Williams as the narrator, dipping in and out of Dr. Seuss’s warming rhymes. That binds to the film to its authentic source, but the gaps between the spoken verse still remind us that this is a slender story s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d into a feature. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperNov 12, 2018
From time to time you’ll laugh and maybe shed a tear But this isn’t the kind of “Grinch” you’ll want to see each year. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Kate TaylorNov 8, 2018
A critic needs only two words to dispense with The Grinch; the first one is bah. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeTom RussoNov 7, 2018
The result is a reworking that feels both unnecessary and uninspired, even if it’s too genial and visually captivating to be flat-out off-putting. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleKimberley JonesNov 7, 2018
In The Grinch power rankings, this one trails Theodor Geisel’s original 1957 storybook and Chuck Jones’ cheeky 1966 TV special by a long mile. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChroniclePeter HartlaubNov 7, 2018
This film is the equivalent of your third or fourth favorite present on any given holiday. It will entertain a few children in the moment, satisfy a few adults who are barely paying attention, then quickly be forgotten. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubJesse HassengerNov 7, 2018
If anything, this is a more meager, timid iteration of Seuss’ story, starting with the characterization of its famous antihero. Read full review
50
Movie NationRoger MooreNov 7, 2018
It’s as forgettable as the torn wrapping paper piled around the tree 15 minutes into Christmas morning. Read full review
42
IndieWireDavid EhrlichNov 7, 2018
Bad as this movie can be, there are far worse things in our world than a story about the value of love and kindness, and the joy of sharing those things with those who may never have known them before (kudos to Cumberbatch, who sells the climactic transformation). Read full review
40
The GuardianCath ClarkeNov 8, 2018
More bah-humbuggery – which is a rational response to the wall-to-wall Christmas jumpers – and less zany antics here would have done the job better. Read full review
40
Rolling StonePeter TraversNov 8, 2018
The Grinch offers a solid service to anyone with kids in need of a nap under a blanket of bland. Read full review
40
The New York TimesGlenn KennyNov 7, 2018
The filmmakers keep the visuals merry and popping bright. Benedict Cumberbatch, voicing the Grinch, opts not to compete with Karloff at all, which is smart, and speaks in an American accent, sounding rather like Bill Hader, which is confusing. Read full review
40
New Orleans Times-PicayuneMike ScottNov 7, 2018
In this new “Grinch,” it’s hard to escape the feeling we’re being offered a serving of the same old roast beast -- and a decidedly fatty serving at that. Read full review
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