Jim Carrey was one of the most prolific comedic voices of the 1990s, with movies like Liar Liar and The Mask defining the genre for many audiences. However, his most transformative and iconic role didn’t come until a few years later.

There are very few characters who feel quite as tailor-made for an actor as The Grinch does for Jim Carrey, and that’s exactly why Ron Howard ‘s How the Grinch Stole Christmas was such a roaring success upon its release 26 years ago today.

The film, which has since become an undeniable holiday classic for audiences around the world, stars Jim Carrey as a grumpy green monster called the Grinch, who lives on the outskirts of the Christmas-loving town of Whoville. When a young girl named Cindy learns of the Grinch’s cold lifestyle, she makes it her mission to teach him about the magic of Christmas.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is inspired by Dr.…