Taylor Momsen and Jim Carrey’s ‘Grinch’ reunion goes viral: 25 years later, Cindy-Lou Who meets the mean one again

A quarter-century after How the Grinch Stole Christmas hit theaters, Taylor Momsen and Jim Carrey reunited in public—and the internet’s heart grew three sizes. The pair crossed paths on Saturday, November 8, 2025, during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles, sparking a surge of nostalgic clips and fan reactions that rocketed across social platforms through Monday and Tuesday.

Why the reunion hit so hard

For a generation raised on the 2000 holiday film, seeing the on-screen duo together—Carrey as the Grinch, Momsen as Cindy-Lou Who—felt like opening a time capsule. The moment landed at the perfect intersection of the season’s first wave of holiday rewatching and the movie’s 25th anniversary. Fans posted side-by-sides, lip-synced the Whoville carols, and stitched red-carpet snippets with favorite lines, pushing the reunion to trend territory within hours.

What actually happened at the Hall of Fame

The meet-up wasn’t a staged movie promo. Both were at the ceremony for music reasons. Jim Carrey took the stage to help induct Soundgarden, delivering a passionate tribute to the band’s legacy. Taylor Momsen, now fronting a successful rock outfit, performed in the evening’s musical salute, tackling staples like “Rusty Cage” and “Black Hole Sun.” Backstage and on the carpet, the two exchanged warm greetings that attendees captured in quick videos and photos—fuel for the overnight viral wave.

Taylor Momsen, then and now

Momsen was just a child when she filmed the holiday classic; in interviews this week she reflected on how Carrey’s seriousness about craft and his gentleness off-camera shaped her view of the job. That perspective rings through in her current career: lean, high-energy rock performances, a road-hardened band, and a public persona far removed from Whoville—but still appreciative of the film that introduced her to audiences worldwide.

Jim Carrey’s place in the film’s long afterlife

Carrey’s physically transformative take on the Grinch—prosthetics, voice, and slapstick precision—remains central to the movie’s enduring popularity. The reunion underscores how his holiday performance has moved from a box-office phenomenon to multi-generational comfort viewing, rewatched every year alongside animated specials and newer streamers. Seeing him share a laugh with Momsen after 25 years doubles as a reminder of how long the film has lived in December traditions.

The numbers behind the nostalgia

While hard counts vary by platform, engagement metrics told the same story: millions of views in the first 24 hours; comment sections stacked with “my childhood!” notes; a sharp jump in searches for “Grinch,” “Taylor Momsen,” and “Jim Carrey”; and fresh playlist spikes for Soundgarden cuts featured during the ceremony. In short: a cultural crossover—holiday cinema meets rock canon—that algorithms couldn’t resist.

Will this lead to something more?

That’s the fan wish, of course—anything from a charity sketch to a brief holiday special cameo. There’s no official project announced tied to the reunion. But the reception shows a clear market for tasteful nostalgia when the timing and authenticity feel right. If anything materializes, expect it to center on a single memorable moment rather than a full-length retread.

Why The Grinch still resonates in 2025

• Seasonal ritual: Families rewatch at the same time each year, reinforcing memory and meaning.

• Performance-forward filmmaking: Carrey’s maximalism, Ron Howard’s large-scale sets, and practical effects give the movie a tactile charm in a CG-saturated era.

• Theme with teeth: The story’s critique of commercial excess—resolved by a community rediscovering connection—ages well in an always-on shopping cycle.

What to watch for next

• Holiday bump: Expect the film’s streaming and broadcast rotations to see a noticeable November–December lift after the reunion buzz.

• Music cross-pollination: Momsen’s performances at the ceremony are driving fresh curiosity among younger fans who discovered Soundgarden via clips; watch for playlist adds and concert searches.

• Anniversary artifacts: With 25 years in the books, collectors should keep an eye out for limited-edition merch drops and behind-the-scenes retrospectives.

The Taylor Momsen–Jim Carrey moment wasn’t a marketing ploy—it was a genuine, well-timed reconnection that bridged two cultural pillars: a beloved holiday film and a hall-of-fame rock celebration. That authenticity is why the clips hit so hard—and why The Grinch is poised for another banner holiday season.