‘The Grinch’ sequel in the works with Jim Carrey returning: Reports

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FOX Local
Published June 18, 2026 1:26 PM MST
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Grinch scares toddler during Christmas photo shoot

Holiday cheer turned to holiday tears during a Christmas photoshoot after The Grinch surprised an unsuspecting toddler mid-pose. (Source: Shemika Ales)

The Brief

    • Universal and Imagine Entertainment are reportedly developing a sequel to "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," with Jim Carrey expected to return as the Grinch and Ron Howard set to direct if the project moves forward.
    • The sequel’s script is being written by Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, and David Mandel, all known for comedy series including "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
    • The original 2000 film was a major box-office success, earning $345 million worldwide.

Jim Carrey may be returning to Whoville. 

According to multiple media outlets, including The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and Variety, Universal and Imagine Entertainment are developing a sequel to 2000’s "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." 

‘The Grinch’ sequel with Jim Carrey returning, reports say

Big picture view:

If the project moves forward, Carrey will return to reprise his role as the Grinch and Ron Howard will return to direct. Howard will produce alongside his Imagine Entertainment partner Brian Grazer.

The sequel will have a script by Alec Berg, who is best known for his work on "Barry" and "Silicon Valley," as well as Jeff Schaffer ("Life, Larry and The Pursuit of Unhappiness") and David Mandel ("Veep"). 

Jim Carrey stars as the Grinch, the green monster who disguises himself as Santa Claus. (Credit: Getty Images)

All three men are vets of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and also worked on another Dr. Seuss adaptation, "The Cat in the Hat." 

Previous ‘Grinch’ movie dominated box office earnings

The backstory:

Released just ahead of Thanksgiving in 2000, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" was the top movie of the year domestically with $260 million and earned a total of $345 million worldwide.

It also took home the best makeup Oscar for Rick Baker and Gail Rowell-Ryan, who transformed Carrey for the role. 

Carrey was one of the biggest stars of the 1990s. He is currently set to reprise his role as Dr. Robotnik in 2027’s "Sonic the Hedgehog 4." 

The 64-year-old actor has previously said he’d be open to returning as the Grinch before.

RELATED: Dr. Seuss classic 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas!' gets a sequel

"Oh, gosh, you know, if we could figure out the Grinch," Carrey told ComicBook.com in 2024. "The thing about it is, on the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe. It was an extremely excruciating process. The children were in my mind all the time. ‘It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids.’ And now, with motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things. Anything is possible in this world."

"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" was later adapted into a 2018 animated movie called "The Grinch," which was released by Universal and Illumination Entertainment and was another hit.

The iconic movie is based on the 1957 classic book by Dr. Suess "How The Grinch Stole Christmas," which is about a grumpy, green, revenge-seeking Grinch who hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the citizens of the town Whoville.

In 2023, the book released a sequel to the 1957 classic children's book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

The book picks up one year after the original, and like the first, teaches a valuable lesson about the true spirit of the holiday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books announced Thursday.

The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. Variety, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter contributed.

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