<P> The Grinch reveals that he intends to push the stolen gifts off the top of the mountain after he hears the Whos crying . However, instead of crying, he hears the joyful singing of the Whos . Infuriated over the failure of his plan, the Grinch has an epiphany about what Christmas is really about: not material gifts, but spending time with loved ones, an insight that profoundly touches him and causes his heart to grow to three times its original size . When the sleigh full of stolen gifts begins to go over the edge of the cliff, the Grinch desperately tries to save them to no avail . However, when he realizes that Cindy Lou has come to wish him a merry Christmas and is in danger of falling off the cliff with the sleigh, the Grinch finds enough strength to lift the sleigh, the gifts and Cindy Lou to safety . After a long descent down Mount Crumpit, the Grinch returns to Whoville with Cindy and the gifts . He confesses to the burglary, tearfully apologizes for his actions towards the Whos and surrenders himself to the police as they arrive, but the Whos reconcile with him, much to May Who's dismay . Martha turns down May Who's proposal and decides that she would rather stay with the Grinch instead . The redeemed Grinch starts a new life with the Whos, commemorating the Christmas feast with them in his cave . </P> <Ul> <Li> Jim Carrey as the Grinch, a misanthropic green creature who despises Christmas and the Whos of Whoville . It is revealed in his origin story that he started to hate Christmas after his school classmates humiliated him when he tried to shave his face . Before Jim Carrey was cast to play the Grinch, Jack Nicholson and Eddie Murphy were briefly considered . <Ul> <Li> Josh Ryan Evans as an 8 - year - old Grinch; his humiliation at school by May Who is what drives him into a hatred of Christmas . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, a young Who who thinks the Christmas spirit in Whoville is lost . (In this version, she is six years old, whereas in the book in 1957 and TV special in 1966 by Chuck Jones she was "no more than two"). </Li> <Li> Jeffrey Tambor as Mayor Augustus May Who, Whoville's rude, arrogant, and judgmental mayor . He is revealed to be a school bully who picked on the young Grinch over his shaved face, which is what motivated the Grinch to hate Christmas in the first place . He also denounces the Grinch every chance he gets and wants to have a Grinch-less Christmas . <Ul> <Li> Ben Bookbinder as an 8 - year - old Augustus May Who; he tormented the young Grinch, which then motivated the Grinch to hate Christmas . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Christine Baranski as Martha May Whovier, the Grinch's lifelong crush and the romantic interest of Mayor Who . She ultimately rejects the Mayor and chooses the Grinch . <Ul> <Li> Landry Allbright as an 8 - year - old Martha May Whovier . She shows compassion towards the young Grinch . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Bill Irwin as Lou Lou Who, Cindy Lou's father and the postman of Whoville . </Li> <Li> Molly Shannon as Betty Lou Who, Cindy Lou's mother and a rival to Martha May in a house - lighting contest . </Li> <Li> Kelley as Max, who is the Grinch's pet dog and only companion on Mt . Crumpit . It is unknown how or when The Grinch got him . <Ul> <Li> Frank Welker as the voice of Max </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Clint Howard as Whobris, the mayor's sycophantic aid . <Ul> <Li> Reid Kirchenbauer as an 8 - year - old Whobris . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Mindy Sterling as Clarnella Who, one of the Grinch's childhood caretakers . </Li> <Li> Jeremy Howard and T.J. Thyne as Drew Lou and Stu Lou Who, troublesome sons of Lou and Betty, and brothers to Cindy Lou . </Li> <Li> Jim Meskimen as Officer Wholihan, the chief of police . </Li> <Li> Bryce Dallas Howard as surprised Who . </Li> <Li> Anthony Hopkins as the Narrator . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Jim Carrey as the Grinch, a misanthropic green creature who despises Christmas and the Whos of Whoville . It is revealed in his origin story that he started to hate Christmas after his school classmates humiliated him when he tried to shave his face . Before Jim Carrey was cast to play the Grinch, Jack Nicholson and Eddie Murphy were briefly considered . <Ul> <Li> Josh Ryan Evans as an 8 - year - old Grinch; his humiliation at school by May Who is what drives him into a hatred of Christmas . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Ul> <Li> Josh Ryan Evans as an 8 - year - old Grinch; his humiliation at school by May Who is what drives him into a hatred of Christmas . </Li> </Ul>

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