All three Grinch movies are streaming on Peacock this season: the 1966 cartoon narrated by Boris Karloff, Jim Carrey’s 2000 live-action movie and the 2018 animated film with Benedict Cumberbatch. NBC will air the original again this December, and each one is also available to rent or buy.
The Three Grinch Movies at a Glance
| Version | Streaming | On TV | Rent or buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) | Peacock | NBC, date not announced yet | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) | Peacock | NBC aired it Christmas night last year | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018) | Peacock | Not in NBC’s lineup | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Peacock’s Premium plan is $12.99 a month, and Premium Plus drops most of the ads.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
The half-hour cartoon is the one most families grew up with: the Grinch dresses up as Santa and steals the decorations, gifts and feasts from Whoville, until the Whos sing anyway. It streams on Peacock, and NBC airs it every holiday season. Last year it ran Thursday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m., with an encore on Christmas night.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jim Carrey plays the Grinch in Ron Howard’s live-action version, with Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who. Peacock lists it as Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. NBC showed it on Christmas night last year, Thursday, Dec. 25, from 8:30 to 11 p.m.
The Grinch (2018)
Illumination’s animated movie, with Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the Grinch, is the one younger kids usually ask for. It streams on Peacock as Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, and it isn’t part of NBC’s broadcast lineup.
The Grinch on TV This Year
The Grinch is back on NBC this holiday season, with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, but the 2026 airtimes aren’t posted yet. Last year the cartoon aired in early December and again on Christmas night, so expect a similar pattern, and check NBC’s holiday schedule when it’s out.
Meet the Grinch at Universal
If your family wants the Grinch in person, both Universal resorts run Grinchmas this season. Islands of Adventure has the Grinch and the Whos in Seuss Landing, covered in my Christmas at Universal Orlando guide, and Universal Studios Hollywood has Grinchmas in Universal Plaza, in my Universal Studios Hollywood Christmas guide.
For something darker after the kids are in bed, my Christmas horror movies guide has every holiday horror film by date, and the theaters’ holiday tins are in my Christmas popcorn buckets guide.
Grinch Streaming FAQ
Is The Grinch on Netflix?
In the U.S., all three versions stream on Peacock, not Netflix.
Can I watch The Grinch for free?
The 1966 cartoon airs free on NBC each holiday season, and NBC hasn’t announced this year’s date yet. Streaming takes a Peacock plan, from $12.99 a month.
Which Grinch is on TV, and when?
NBC airs the 1966 cartoon, and last year it also showed the Jim Carrey movie on Christmas night. The 2026 times aren’t posted yet.
