Ron Howard Says Grinch Sequel in Early Development
Speaking at the 2026 Hamptons International Film Festival, Ron Howard said he has a costume idea and discussed how Jim Carrey could handle the makeup this time.
Ron Howard said at the 2026 Hamptons International Film Festival that a sequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas is in early development, according to movieweb.com. The director also said he had an idea for the costume a year ago that he got excited about, but he did not reveal details.
Howard discussed how Jim Carrey, who played the Grinch in the 2000 film, might handle the makeup this time, after the difficulties of the original production. Motion-capture technology and CGI were suggested as a way to recreate the Grinch's appearance without extensive prosthetics.
Brian Grazer, a producer on the 2000 movie, is returning for the sequel. The original film starred Carrey and Taylor Momsen and was directed by Howard.
The 2000 movie was released on November 17, 2000, and runs 104 minutes. In 2024, Carrey told ComicBook he would consider returning for a sequel if the transformation process were easier, after the extensive prosthetic work of the original, and in 2026 it was confirmed that a sequel was in development with Carrey, Howard and Grazer returning. Carrey worked with Disney on A Christmas Carol in 2009, gaining experience with motion capture.
Quick answers
Is a How the Grinch Stole Christmas sequel happening?
Ron Howard said at the 2026 Hamptons International Film Festival that the sequel is in early development.
Will Jim Carrey return as the Grinch?
Howard discussed how Carrey might handle the makeup this time; motion-capture technology and CGI were suggested as a way to recreate the Grinch's appearance without extensive prosthetics.
Who is returning for the Grinch sequel?
Ron Howard is directing and Brian Grazer is producing, with Jim Carrey attached, according to the development plans discussed at the festival.