What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Grinch
Yarrow Cheney · Film · 2018
If you loved The Grinch, start with How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Ron Howard, 2000) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Grinch across media.
What hooked you in The Grinch was the way a cynical, isolated protagonist slowly finds their way back into community.
Start with the source
The source
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Ron Howard · Film · 2000
Books on the same thread
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens · Book · 2018
Shares 2 threads with The Grinch: Redemption, Transformation.
Like The Grinch, this foundational text explores the transformative power of the holiday season on a bitter, greedy character who must confront his own selfish nature.
Pinocchio
Carlo Collodi · Book · 1996
Shares 2 threads with The Grinch: Transformation, Redemption.
If you enjoyed the transformation of a misbehaving outcast in The Grinch, you will appreciate this classic tale of a puppet learning the true meaning of morality.
Skipping Christmas (Special Edition)
John Grisham · Book · 2025
Explores: Holiday burnout, Social nonconformity, Small-town peer pressure.
This satire mirrors the holiday burnout felt by The Grinch, providing a humorous look at the pressures of societal expectations and the desire to escape seasonal traditions.
The Bad Guys
Aaron Blabey · Book
Shares a thread with The Grinch: Redemption.
Much like the redemption arc found in The Grinch, these misunderstood characters subvert expectations as they transition from villainous roles toward forming meaningful and unlikely new friendships.
Series on the same thread
Community
Dan Harmon · Series · 2009
Shares a thread with The Grinch: Community.
The Grinch finds his heart by embracing the residents of Whoville, a journey of belonging that resonates deeply with this story of misfits finding family at college.
Rick and Morty
Dan Harmon · Series · 2013
Explores: Dysfunctional Family, Existentialism, Dark Humor.
If you were drawn to the sociopathic, dark humor of The Grinch, you will find a kindred spirit in this genius scientist who navigates existence with similar cynicism.
The Good Place
Michael Schur · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with The Grinch: Redemption.
This series centers on a flawed protagonist seeking redemption, echoing the core narrative of The Grinch as he moves from a state of misanthropy toward moral improvement.
Robot Chicken
Seth Green · Series · 2005
Explores: Pop Culture Parody, Satire, Dark Humor.
The Grinch uses dark humor and parody to skewer holiday tropes, a tone that continues through this stop-motion series that mocks pop culture with similar biting energy.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
Conan reflects the same isolation and social distance seen in The Grinch, offering a comedic exploration of how a cynical outsider struggles to build authentic community connections.
Grumpy Old Geeks
Jason DeFillippo & Brian Schulmeister with Dave Bittner · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cynicism, digital culture, corporate skepticism.
If you loved the skeptical, grumpy perspective that defines The Grinch, you will enjoy this podcast's unfiltered, cynical critique of modern culture and corporate behavior.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Grinch from 2018 the same story as How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
Both The Grinch from 2018 and the 2000 movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas are adaptations of the same source material. Each film depicts the character attempting to ruin the holiday celebration for the residents of Whoville, though they feature different animation styles and directorial approaches.
What order should I watch The Grinch and How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
There is no official chronological order required to watch The Grinch and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Since both films are independent adaptations of the same story, you can watch either movie first to see how the character hatches his scheme to ruin the festivities in Whoville.
Is The Grinch 2018 a remake of the 2000 film?
The Grinch released in 2018 is not a direct remake of the 2000 movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Both titles are separate adaptations of the same underlying story, focusing on the character's plan to disrupt the annual holiday celebration held by the residents of Whoville.
How does The Grinch compare to How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
The Grinch and How the Grinch Stole Christmas share the same core plot regarding the attempt to ruin the Whoville holiday celebration. The primary difference is that the 2018 version is an animated film directed by Yarrow Cheney, while the 2000 title is a different adaptation of the story.