Why Does The Grinch Get Adapted So Much.... Or How Does The Grinch Keep Stealing Christmas?

 I was watching one of my all-time favorite Christmas classics which is the original, Chuck Jones animated version of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas". To me it is timeless, has good comedy, and good music, and is perfectly paced. The original from the 50's version of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas", my all-time favorite Christmas movie and special. But as it wrapped up much like the mean one with one of the most catchy Yuletide songs ever I was puzzling and puzzling until my puzzler was sore, but it was not about the same topic that was raised before. I asked myself and was left in quite a pinch because I pondered and asked "Why Do They Keep Making The Grinch?"

The Grinch is beloved for a reason, the songs are catchy and memorable, the message simple yet powerful, and the characters recognizable. You see that big green furry and man, and people of ages know who the Grinch is, the story is that beloved. Ranking among Christmas Story, Elf and so many more as a beloved yearly tradition in which you have to clarify what you mean when you said you watched the Grinch.

The original was based on the book, the Jim Carey version, a stage show which was given a filmed version, the Benedict Cumberbatch animated version made by Illumination, and a prank that went viral that Chris Pratt was going to play the grinch in a new version that was so believable because of all these versions, and some, myself included who think more adaptations are still to come. There is even a book sequel on store shelves called "How The Grinch Lost Christmas". I know the core reasons that companies keep making anything Grinch related because it is a timeless story, a yuletide classic, and there is money to be made. The corporate reason always being the answer that is the least fun but always unfortunately holds the most truth. 

But there is a core reason aside from the story's simple nature, appeal to families, and recognizable holiday icon but I think there is a deeper reason at hand. The message of this movie that, as poorly as it can be told in some versions is still timeless. The original captures it the best for me, but Christmas can't be stolen, no matter what it's coming. And when the Grinch in his triumph after his great holiday heist, the day still comes, with the Who's finding joy in the season not in what comes with it. Finding joy in just the season itself, being with the friends and family we love. 

The message is simple yet deep, not needing anything else on Christmas day but the day itself. Celebrating what we love about the holiday at it's fundamental core, one that is portrayed in multiple ways, but I am not here to discuss the quality of each adaptation but rather just the message itself. No matter how it is displayed and in what fashion or who did it better it is still there. The message at its core is one of the many reasons there are so many versions of the Grinch. He is recognizable, and beloved, but also with a story easy for audiences old and young to grasp. To appreciate the holiday as a whole and celebrate it, presents or not. The decorations and gifts were there, but the Who's love Christmas from top to bottom, proving it in the moment where it would seem that all hope was gone.

So yes I see now why this keeps being made every now and then, and I feel more versions will come out now and again. A story very timeless with a message quite true, that rings loud and clear today as it did back when I was two. So the Grinch will keep coming with many liking different versions over the holiday season, but all at the core are less different reasons. Knowing that the story rings true for both stranger and peer, a message about Christmas that I will always watch each year.