Grinch

The Grinch is a fictional character created by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. He first appeared in the 1957 children's book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Grinch is a green, furry humanoid who resides on Mount Crumpit above the town of Whoville. In the story, he hates Christmas and schemes to ruin it for the Whos by stealing all the holiday decorations, presents, and feasts.

After his plan fails to dampen the Whos' holiday spirit, he experiences a change of heart when he hears the Whos singing despite their loss; his heart grows three sizes, and he returns the stolen items and joins in the celebration.

The character has been adapted in various media: a 1966 animated television special directed by Chuck Jones, a 2000 live-action film starring Jim Carrey that expands on the backstory, and a 2018 animated film in which the Grinch is voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. The Grinch has become a prominent figure in Christmas pop culture and a linguistic shorthand for someone who spoils Christmas; merchandise, adaptations, and parodies have followed.