As the month of December approaches, Christmas movies begin to reappear all across television. They’re a staple when it comes to the holiday season and are loved by so many people. With such a variety, it seems as if there’s a movie for almost everyone. From Home Alone to cheesy Hallmark movies, Christmas time is accompanied by plenty of options when it comes to film.

          But amongst all the holiday movies, one in particular stands out amongst the others. With three adaptations, Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch has won the hearts of many individuals. The story begins on Mount Crumpit, a dangerously large mountain that overlooks the jolly village of Whoville. The scene appears to be perfect, but settled within a cave atop the mountain lives none other than the Grinch himself.

          Best known for his hatred of Christmas, the Grinch is feared by each and every Who across Whoville. Those who live beneath his mountain try their best to avoid him. Some say that he’s always been that way, while others believe that his heart might be several sizes too small. But what if he can’t help it? What if the Grinch doesn’t actually hate Christmas but rather just people?

          Depending on which version of the film you watch, the Grinch’s origin story differs in several ways. In the most recent adaptation from 2018, viewers learn that the Grinch’s negative attitude towards the holiday season first began in his childhood. According to the movie, the Grinch grew up in an orphanage. When the holidays came around, not one person showed that they cared, causing the Grinch to spend his time alone. As he watched other happy families throughout Whoville, he began to feel jealous and wonder how the Whos could be so selfish. If they loved Christmas time so much, why didn’t they think to spread some of their cheer and give back to those who weren’t as fortunate? From that year on, each time the holiday season arrived again, the Grinch couldn’t help but feel resentful. 

          While the other movies have the same plot overall, The Grinch from the 2000s features a story that’s a bit different compared to the others. In this rendition of the film, the audience watches as the Grinch and his classmates prepare for an annual Christmas party. Wanting to impress Martha May, a popular girl in his class, the Grinch decides to make her a handmade gift and attempt to shave the “beard” some of his peers shamed him for having. However, when he shows up to school the next day, the Grinch is only made fun of even more due to his poor job. In a state of anger and embarrassment, the Grinch throws his gift across the room and begins to destroy the Christmas decorations set up around the classroom before running away to Mount Crumpit. From there, he spends the rest of his days living in a cave far away from the Whos, dreading the holiday season because it reminds him of that day several years ago.

          In the oldest and final adaptation of The Grinch from 1966, not much background is provided as to why the Grinch has such a strong hatred towards Christmas. The narrator suggests that maybe the Grinch’s hostile attitude is due to the fact that his shoes are too tight, his head isn’t screwed on correctly, or maybe his heart is two sizes too small. Whatever the reason, the Grinch proceeds to set out on a mission, with his ultimate goal being to ruin Christmas for the Whos and rid them of their joy for the holiday season. However, in the end, the Grinch watches as the Whos down in Whoville celebrate Christmas just the same, despite not having material possessions. With this, he comes to the realization that there’s much more to Christmas than just presents. As his heart grows three sizes, the Grinch can’t help but become a good-natured individual and regret the assumptions he made about both the holidays and the Whos.

          Overall, the story of The Grinch is loved by so many people for plenty of different reasons. Even though he is best known for loathing the holiday season, a deeper look into his story reveals that maybe that isn’t the case. From being bullied to being abandoned, the Grinch actually has several valid reasons for being spiteful towards others. And when looking even further into it, it’s easily noticed that maybe instead of hating Christmas, the Grinch just hated people. So, can we really be labeling him as an antagonist? Because, in all honesty, the Grinch seems to be more relatable than anything else.