It is officially time to head back to Whoville on the big screen. Starting today, December 12, Ron Howard’s holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas is returning to theaters nationwide to celebrate its massive 25th anniversary. For an entire generation, Jim Carrey’s chaotic, green-furred performance defined the season, and now fans have the chance to experience the roast beast feasts and Mount Crumpit sleigh rides in a theater for the first time in a quarter-century. Universal Pictures has rolled out this limited engagement specifically to honor the film’s enduring legacy, giving families a reason to bundle up and head to the cinema this weekend.
While the Grinch himself is taking over the box office once again, the film’s original Cindy Lou Who has been celebrating the milestone in her own way all season. Taylor Momsen, who famously played the braid-wearing optimist before becoming a rock icon, released a reimagined version of “Where Are You Christmas?” back in October. Her band, The Pretty Reckless, turned the sweet ballad into a soaring rock anthem that features a “duet” with her seven-year-old self. If you are planning to catch the movie in theaters this week, Momsen’s updated track is the essential addition to your pre-show playlist. It perfectly bridges the gap between the nostalgia of the 2000 classic and the edge Momsen has cultivated over the last two decades.
The theatrical return includes remastered visuals and sound, ensuring that Whoville looks brighter and louder than ever before. This re-release is not just a nostalgia trip; it is a victory lap for a film that was initially met with mixed reviews but has since cemented itself as a holiday staple. Whether you are there for Carrey’s improvisational genius or to spot a young Momsen saving Christmas, this is the ultimate way to ring in the holiday. So grab your popcorn, queue up The Pretty Reckless on your way to the theater, and get ready to let your heart grow three sizes today.