It’s a reunion that feels like a Christmas miracle. After 25 years, Jim Carrey and Taylor Momsen — the beloved duo from *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* — have reunited for the first time since the movie’s release, leaving fans in tears of nostalgia. The heartwarming moment took place during a special anniversary event celebrating Ron Howard’s 2000 holiday classic, where the two stars embraced on stage in a moment that instantly went viral.
Carrey, now 63, and Momsen, 31, were photographed hugging and laughing during the emotional reunion, hosted by The Tonight Show. “The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who, back together again — my heart can’t handle this,” one fan wrote on X. The photo, showing Carrey in a dark green blazer and Momsen in her signature rock-chic black eyeliner, has already amassed millions of likes across social media.
“When I saw him again, it was like time hadn’t passed,” Momsen told People in an interview backstage. “He gave me the same big, goofy smile he always did on set. I think part of me will always be that little girl staring up at The Grinch.”
“Jim Carrey and Taylor Momsen reunite for the first time in 25 years — and fans are crying. The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who, together again.” @PopBase
Carrey, who famously spent over eight hours a day in makeup during the original film, joked about the reunion during his speech. “When I saw Taylor, I almost yelled, ‘Why are you not in Whoville?!’” he said to laughter. “Then I realized — she’s been out saving the world with a guitar instead.”
The actor, who largely stepped back from Hollywood in recent years, appeared visibly moved when the crowd began chanting his name. “It’s surreal,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “This movie changed both our lives. To see Cindy Lou all grown up… it makes me feel both old and grateful.”
Momsen, who went on to find fame as the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless and as Jenny Humphrey in *Gossip Girl*, shared that she hadn’t seen Carrey since the film wrapped in 2000. “He was my hero back then — and he still is,” she said. “Working with him taught me about kindness and creativity. That energy never left me.”
The reunion clip — showing Carrey giving Momsen a gentle pat on the head before they share a long hug — has now been viewed over 20 million times on TikTok. Fans flooded the comments with emotional reactions. “My inner child is sobbing,” one wrote. “They both look so happy.” Another posted, “Cindy Lou grew up, and The Grinch melted again.”
“‘Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store.’ 25 years later, it comes from this reunion. 💚🎄” @netflix
The event also included behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the original crew, and unseen photos from the set — including one where Carrey, in full green prosthetics, helps a six-year-old Momsen rehearse a line. Director Ron Howard joined via video call, calling the reunion “one of the most joyful full-circle moments” of his career.
“They were both magic together,” Howard said. “Even at six years old, Taylor could hold her own against Jim’s energy — and that’s saying something.”
Carrey and Momsen’s reunion comes amid renewed interest in *The Grinch* thanks to its ongoing dominance every holiday season. The film remains one of the highest-grossing Christmas movies of all time, earning over $345 million worldwide and inspiring a new generation of memes, TikToks, and cozy December rewatches. “It’s become part of people’s DNA at Christmas,” Carrey said with a smile. “And honestly, that’s the greatest gift.”
On social media, fans of both stars shared side-by-side photos of Momsen as a child and as an adult, marveling at how far she’s come. “From Cindy Lou Who to rockstar icon,” wrote one fan on Instagram. “She and Jim are proof that Christmas magic never fades.”
Momsen later posted her own emotional tribute on her Instagram page, featuring a photo of the two embracing. “25 years later. My heart is full,” she captioned the post, tagging Carrey and adding a green heart emoji. The comments were flooded with nostalgia, including messages from former *Gossip Girl* co-stars and even Billie Eilish, who wrote, “This made me cry omg.”
Carrey reposted the image on his X account with his own cheeky caption: “She made my small heart grow three sizes again.” The post quickly hit over a million likes, proving that even decades later, the magic of Whoville still connects generations.
“She made my small heart grow three sizes again.” — Jim Carrey on reuniting with Taylor Momsen 25 years after *The Grinch* 💚🎁 @etnow
As fans continue to share the moment, many say it feels like more than just a reunion — it’s a reminder of a simpler, happier time. “The world’s kind of Grinchy right now,” one user wrote on Facebook. “Seeing them together again feels like Christmas came early.”
For Taylor Momsen, it’s a moment she says she’ll never forget. “He made me laugh then, and he made me laugh now,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “The Grinch taught me that love and laughter outlast everything — even time.”
