The holiday spirit has arrived early on Peacock, with Jim Carrey's How the Grinch Stole Christmas becoming one of the platform's most-watched movies in the United States this October. This unexpected streaming success, reported by ScreenRant based on data from FlixPatrol, sees the Ron Howard-directed film land in the third spot on Peacock's Top 10, a surprising turn given the month's usual focus on Halloween-themed content.
While October typically ushers in a wave of horror and spooky season favorites, Carrey's Grinch has outpaced numerous genre entries and family films alike. It currently sits behind only the animated stop-motion classic Coraline and, notably, Benedict Cumberbatch's 2018 animated The Grinch, which holds the top spot. This means both Dr. Seuss adaptations of the grumpy green character are dominating Peacock's viewership, with the live-action version proving its enduring appeal decades after its initial release.
For Jim Carrey, this streaming revival holds particular significance. The actor has largely scaled back his film appearances in recent years, primarily focusing on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise as Dr. Robotnik. Beyond these blockbuster roles, Carrey's cinematic output has been minimal since 2016. The unexpected popularity of How the Grinch Stole Christmas on streaming, therefore, provides a timely spotlight on one of his most memorable and financially successful performances.
Adding to the excitement, the film's renewed popularity coincides with recent reports from The Hollywood Reporter that a sequel to the 2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas is in development. Sources indicate that Carrey is in talks to return as the Grinch, with original director Ron Howard also eyed to helm the follow-up. The script for this potential sequel is reportedly being penned by Alec Berg, David Mandel, and Jeff Schaffer, known for their work on The Cat in the Hat and other comedies.
Should these plans materialize, Carrey's return to the role that saw him embody the iconic Dr. Seuss character with unparalleled comedic energy would be a major event for fans. The current streaming surge of the original film only underscores the lasting affection audiences hold for his Grinch, making the prospect of a sequel all the more compelling.