Netflix has just treated its viewers to two cherished adaptations of a classic Christmas tale, each unique yet equally adored.
The streaming giant already boasts an impressive array of festive films, including timeless hits like The Holiday and Jack Frost, alongside newer gems such as Klaus and The Princess Switch series.
As December unfolds, more holiday favourites are set to join the platform’s lineup, but Netflix might have outdone itself by adding what could be considered two of the season’s best offerings.
An unlikely hero, hailed as one of the most memorable Christmas figures ever created, is portrayed by two major Hollywood stars in these films.
Both movies feature a cantankerous hermit with a hatred for the festive season, who resolves to spoil the celebrations for everyone else until an extraordinary evening inspires a change of heart, reports the Manchester Evening News.
We’re not referring to A Christmas Carol here. Instead, Netflix subscribers can now enjoy two renditions of Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas without any additional charge.
While the beloved children’s book was first animated in 1966, it was the 2000 live-action movie starring Jim Carrey as the infamous green curmudgeon that really captured audiences’ hearts, becoming a cult classic over the last twenty years. One fan even professed on Letterboxd: “I legitimately and without any shred of sarcasm or irony think that Jim Carrey deserved an Oscar nom for this.”
Another admirer exclaimed: “The best and funniest Christmas movie ever made. Sorry, but this one is absolutely amazing, and I never get tired of watching it.
“They literally aired it daily on TV between November and December during my childhood, and every time it was on, I watched it.”
Empire magazine weighed in: “Despite labouring under about three feet of latex, Jim Carrey still comes across loud and clear in this adaptation of the Dr Seuss poem. It’s also rather funny, Carrey improvising away despite all the big-budget shenanigans going on around him.”
Even though the 2018 animated remake by Illumination might not be held in quite as high esteem, it succeeded in delighting millions of children and boasts a top-notch voice-over by Benedict Cumberbatch.
It’s even been dubbed an underappreciated highlight, with one enthusiast writing: “Rewatched this absolute masterpiece last night and it has solidified my belief that it’s only hated because people’s nostalgia goggles are on too tight.
“It’s hilarious and it has absolutely stunning animation. Don’t listen to the haters, give this a watch.”
Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription to Sky Stream members, saving £119.76 over the 24-month term.
Sky Stream lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like The Penguin and the upcoming second season of Squid Game.
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SkyRegardless of your favoured rendition, the Grinch continues to be an inseparable part of the Christmas season you’d not want to miss.
As a devotee on X (formerly Twitter) eloquently put it: “The Grinch is the greatest Christmas character of all time!”
Meanwhile, another chimed in recently: “It’s December 1st. Time to introduce my daughter to the greatest Christmas movie of all time, the the the… THE GRINCH!!!”
MovieWeb has ranked the Grinch as the second most iconic Christmas movie character of all time, trailing just behind Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) from Home Alone.
“The Grinch is the ultimate Christmas curmudgeon-turned-hero committed to cinema,” they penned.
“The story is solid and casts a powerful spell in the image of holiday jeer-turned-cheer in both renditions, making him one of the most iconic Christmas characters of all time.”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Grinch are available to stream on Netflix.