Universal Pictures has released the second trailer for Illumination’s eighth animated film, The Grinch. The film is a new adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The first trailer was released earlier this year.

Benedict Cumberbatch will voice the title character. Who will try to ruin Christmas for everyone, all the while getting in his own way. Check out the newest trailer below.

The Grinch will always be a part of the Christmas movie pantheon. So it was inevitable that the character get an update. It’s most famous and beloved iteration is the classic animated version from Chuck Jones and Ben Washam. That animated special helped spawn one of the greatest Christmas songs in “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch,” with lyrics written by Dr. Seuss himself, and sung by Thurl Ravenscroft. That was followed by a live-action take starring Jim Carrey and directed by Ron Howard.

But what will separate this version from the rest is its CGI animation style and the fact that we are getting some backstory on the Grinch. Apparently, he hasn’t had a great upbringing despite his adorable looks. Of course, with no one to adopt him and watching children have families during the happiest time of the year, it’s hard not to sympathize with his bitterness during Christmas.

Here’s the official plot synopsis:

For their eighth fully animated feature, Illumination and Universal Pictures present The Grinch, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday classic. The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, it’s a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism.

Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice to the infamous Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbors in Who-ville when he runs out of food.

Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he decides he will pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.

Meanwhile, down in Who-ville, Cindy-Lou Who””a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer””plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother. As Christmas approaches, however, her good-natured scheme threatens to collide with the Grinch’s more nefarious one. Will Cindy-Lou achieve her goal of finally meeting Santa Claus? Will the Grinch succeed in silencing the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all?

Directed by Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier, and written by Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow, The Grinch opens in theaters on November 9, 2018.

Trailer

[Source: Universal YT]