It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Everyone has got that festive feeling, it’s starting to get cozy by the fire, and there is nothing better to do with a cup of hot cocoa than watch a Christmas movie. Perfect for getting anyone in a festive mood, holiday movies are just incredibly heartwarming and plenty of fun. Over the years there have been some amazing holiday movies that have gone on to create iconic characters that are beloved all around the world.
Whether it be due to the songs that they sing, their personalities, or what they have to go through, there have been some amazing characters in these unforgettable films.
20 The Old Man – A Christmas Story (1983)
Available on HBO Max, DIRECTV, TNT, TBS and Tru TV
A Christmas Story is one of the most iconic holiday movies ever made. Within the movie, The Old Man is one of the best characters, playing a classic father from that time period. Constantly tinkering with the broken furnace and swearing all the time, he is caring but also stern, and overall a really lovable character.
He eventually caves and gets his son the BB gun that he wants, showing that he has endless love deep down for him. He is a fun character that is warm and caring, which perfectly suits the time of the year. Having won over audiences for countless generations, he is a character that just doesn’t get old.
19 Isaac – The Night Before (2015)
Avaialble on fuboTV, AMC+ and DIRECTV
The Night Before is a rare R-rated Christmas movie about three childhood friends who reunite for their annual night of holiday shenanigans while also facing many changes in their lives. But the most hilarious of the trio is Isaac, a soon-to-be father.
While Isaac seems to be dealing with his upcoming child quite well, his drug-fueled night out with friends brings out his biggest fears. Seeing him constantly freak out about this life-changing event makes for the funniest moments in the movie, especially when he finds himself stoned at Christmas mass.
18 Arthur – Arthur Christmas (2011)
Available on Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, DIRECTV, TNT, TBS and Tru TV
On the complete flip side to A Christmas Story, Arthur Christmas is a modern classic that brings a lot of joy and happiness. The movie injects technology and more modern ideas into the festive story, which is something that really helps the film stand out.
But in a movie full of brilliant characters, it is the young underdo Arthur who is the most memorable. He has incredible energy and absolutely loves Christmas, which is often what makes a perfect holiday character and has helped make him an iconic one.
17 Willie – Bad Santa (2003)
Available on fuboTV and Showtime
Bad Santa is a very different kind of holiday film. This isn’t a family-friendly movie, with Willie being a criminal who spends his Christmases dressing as Santa so that he can eventually rob the shopping mall.
Some might think that could make Willie less relatable. But his path to becoming a better human is just incredible. Although Bad Santa is obviously a bit too much for kids, for adults, he is the perfect character, as he shows the negatives and positives of the holiday period.
16 Jesper – Klaus (2019)
Available on Netflix and Netflix With Ads
The excellent Christmas movie Klaus subverts many tropes about Santa in its unique origin story, but it is the character of Jesper who has the more interesting arc. A lazy and spoiled young man, Jesper is given a position as a post officer in a small and unfriendly town where he strikes up a partnership with a local toy maker.
A lot of Christmas movies have a theme of redemption in them, and that is very much at the center of Jesper’s story. He provides big laughs as the selfish and pampered man out of his element, but the growth he has throughout the story is very rewarding.
15 Ebeneezer Scrooge – A Christmas Carol (1951)
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It doesn’t really matter which version of the character viewers prefer, Ebeneezer Scrooge is a Christmas classic. Everybody has their favorite version of A Christmas Carol, and at the heart of all of them is Scrooge, who is taught a lesson throughout the movie. Going from a heartless, rich jerk, to someone with kindness, compassion, and love for everyone.
Learning his lessons from the ghosts of Christmas (who are all also iconic characters), the story itself is one of the very best. There is plenty to be learned from A Christmas Carol, and even though Scrooge starts as very unlikable, by the end of the film, everyone has a soft spot for him.
14 Jack Skellington – The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Available on Disney+
While some people might associate Jack Skellington with Halloween, the fact is, he is also a Christmas icon. After all, the holiday is in the title of the movie itself, and Jack spends the majority of the movie learning about the holiday as he becomes ‘Sandy Claws.’ However, that’s the beauty of The Nightmare Before Christmas, it crosses two popular times of the year in one amazing movie.
Who would have thought that the idea of creepy Halloween characters wanting to take over Christmastime could be so much fun? From the catchy songs to Jack’s infectious personality, there is no denying that he is one of Christmas’ most iconic movie characters. Even though he makes a terrible Santa, there’s no denying that Jack’s heart is in the right place, and that is why he is so beloved.
13 The Conductor – The Polar Express (2004)
Available on fuboTV and HBO Max
Tom Hanks providing the voice of a Christmas character is bound to be something special, and that is exactly what happened with The Polar Express. Hanks actually voices many characters throughout this movie, but it is The Conductor that makes the biggest impact.
The Conductor is just an incredibly warm and positive character who provides thoughtful comments and real lessons to the young characters onboard the train. He’s full of heart and has a real love for Christmas, which just makes him a perfect festive character.
12 Scott Calvin – The Santa Clause (1994)
Available on Disney+
Though the new nostalgic holiday series The Santa Clauses carries on his story, Scott Calvin first charmed audiences in The Santa Clause. He plays a work-obsessed man who accidentally knocks Santa off his roof and subsequently takes up the mantle.
As nice as it is to see Scott fully in his role as Santa in the sequels, it is a lot of fun to see him trying to make sense of this new role. From being introduced to the magic of the job to the sudden weight gain to the un-shaveable beard, Scott is a hilarious character to follow on this journey while also becoming a better person.
11 Susan Walker – Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
Available on Disney+, Prime Video, fuboTV, Peacock Premium, AMC+ and DIRECTV
Miracle on 34th Street is one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. A timeless classic, the movie is jam-packed with amazing characters. But it is Susan Walker who really is the standout here. Due to how she is raised by her broken-hearted mother, Susan is incredibly skeptical about everything.
She doesn’t buy into fairytales or even Santa Claus until she meets Kris Kringle, whom she thinks is the real Father Christmas. This is just a heartwarming story that is perfect for Christmas, with Walker’s character summing up how many children feel throughout their lives at some point.
10 Mr. Poppy – Nativity! (2009)
No streaming options available
The Nativity movie series has quickly become incredibly popular among fans of festive movies, and a big reason for that is Mr. Poppy. He brings all the heart and the comedy to the movies, with the teacher’s assistant bringing tons of joy and enthusiasm into everything he does.
He works incredibly hard to help everyone, and because he has so much charisma and passion, he instantly becomes a very memorable character. He’s just perfect for a Christmas movie, which is why the character works so well.
9 Clark – Christmas Vacation (1989)
Available on fuboTV and HBO Max
Clark Griswold is one of the most relatable characters from Christmas movies, as he not only loves Christmas, but he shows how hectic the holiday season can be. In Christmas Vacation, Clark wants to have the best Christmas with his family, but he has to contend with intrusive relatives, an ungrateful boss, and more than a few injuries.
Seeing Clark deal with one problem after another is hilarious yet also makes viewers appreciate all the ways their holidays go flawlessly by comparison. His frustration builds to one of the funniest movie rants of all time that makes it a Christmas to remember.
8 John McClane – Die Hard (1988)
Available on Starz and DIRECTV
The debate will always rage on as to whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie. While many might not agree that it is, for those that do, John McClane is certainly an iconic character for the most wonderful time of the year.
Bruce Willis’ performance in this movie is as iconic as the character itself, as he fights against terrorists crashing the Christmas party. Battling against them head-on, the movie is packed with amazing one-liners and some truly superb action sequences.
7 Luther Krank – Christmas With The Kranks (2004)
Available on fuboTV, AMC+, Hoopla and DIRECTV
Tim Allen has been involved in several Christmas movies over the course of his career, but his role as Luther Krank really is one that stands out. This movie is utterly brilliant and offers everything people are looking for in a Christmas story.
It has heart, comedy, a little romance, a lot of lights and festivities, and a great story. At the heart of all of it is Luther Krank, who may spend most of the film actually trying to avoid doing anything for Christmas, only to realize that family is all he needs anyway.
6 Gizmo – Gremlins (1984)
Available on HBO Max
Speaking of Christmas movies with a twist, Gremlins is another film that isn’t quite the typical holiday movie. However, it certainly is a Christmas film, and Gizmo became one of the holidays’ most iconic characters because of that.
While Gizmo is incredibly cute and loving, if anyone doesn’t follow the rules that come with this present then there is hell to pay. An army of scaly, vile, and very mischievous creatures is unleashed, which turns the festive fun into a nightmare. It’s impossible not to love Gizmo, which is why the character became such a toy hit when the movie was first released.
5 The Grinch – How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Dr. Seuss has created some amazing characters, and one of the most iconic is The Grinch. He is someone who shouldn’t be likable due to how grumpy and vile he is throughout most of the film, but he is just impossible to not love. Grinch hates Christmas and everything it stands for, so viewers would think that a movie solely based around that wouldn’t be much fun.
However, his journey to growing his heart and caring about people and the holiday itself is an incredible one. This movie is just tons of fun, with the classic world of Dr. Seuss being brought to life perfectly. Grinch is eccentric, over the top, and loud. But at the same time, he is truly lovable, with his rants being hilarious, ultimately winning over the audience.
4 Karen – Love Actually (2003)
Available on Peacock Premium, AMC+ and DIRECTV
Love Actually is one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time, and it brings a lot of popular and well-known characters to the forefront. However, it is Karen, played by Emma Thompson, who really carries the movie with the most emotional storyline of the bunch.
She is put through a hard time in reality, due to the fact she finds out her husband is in the early stages of having an affair. However, her strength in dealing with that situation, remaining dedicated to her children, and pushing forward helps make her a truly iconic character.
3 Buddy The Elf – Elf (2003)
Available on fuboTV and HBO Max
Elf has become one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time, and that is all due to Buddy The Elf himself. The performance by Will Ferrell is unbelievable in this movie, bringing his comic timing to the festive world in the greatest way possible. The story is heartwarming and brings fun for everyone.
Still believing he is an elf, Buddy’s interactions with the human world are hilarious to see. From eating chewing gum that has been thrown away to confronting a fake Santa in the shopping mall, this movie really is one of the best. It’s impossible to not love this piece, so just remember, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”
2 George Bailey – It’s A Wonderful Life (1947)
Available on Prime Video
Though one of the rare fantasy Christmas movies without Santa, George Bailey is just as impressive a protagonist as the jolly big man himself. It’s a Wonderful Life takes a look at George’s life leading up to a fateful Christmas where he begins to question everything.
George is a charming hero to follow, as he positively affects the lives of everyone around him through his generosity, integrity, and love. To see the realization of how his life mattered to so many people is a heartwarming Christmas movie moment.
1 Kevin McCallister – Home Alone (1990)
Available Disney+
When it comes to iconic Christmas characters, they really don’t get much better than Kevin McCallister. Home Alone itself is one of the greatest holiday movies ever made, with the film bringing tons of festive cheer and fun, and it is all because of Kevin. The movie is just hilarious, with Kevin being left at home by his family accidentally and forced to step up and look after himself.
However, it is when the two burglars arrive that things really start to get going. Creating tons of different traps to stop them from entering his house and stealing anything, it provides some amazing slapstick comedy. Kevin is just adorable and has created some iconic movie moments.
