Summary
- The best Christmas characters are those who embody the Christmas spirit and make holiday movies memorable favorites that people return to.
- From Michelle Pfeiffer's iconic portrayal of Catwoman to the lovable Ghost of Christmas Present from The Muppet Christmas Carol, these characters steal the show.
- While new Christmas movies may deliver memorable characters, there are already plenty of iconic Christmas characters ready to be reintroduced.
The holiday season means it is the time to revisit all the classics of the festive time of year and become reacquainted with some of the best Christmas characters. While there are countless Christmas movies to choose from, with more being added each new year, only the best stand out and become the favorites that people return to again and again. In most cases, it is the characters at the center of these stories that make them so memorable.
Some of the best Christmas characters from holiday movies include those who embody the Christmas spirit while spreading it to everyone else. Others are on a redemptive path with the season bringing out the best in them, while some are the heroes of the tale while others are scene-stealing ing players. It remains to be seen if new Christmas movies like Candy Cane Lane and Red One will deliver some truly memorable new additions to the genre, but there are already plenty of iconic Christmas characters ready to be reintroduced.
21 Best Christmas Movies On Amazon Prime Video
From Hallmark-like movies to certifiable classics, the best Christmas movies on Amazon Prime Video offer something for everyone.
25 Catwoman - Batman Returns (1992)
Played by Michelle Pfeiffer
Tim Burton's second gothic take on the Caped Crusader set the story around Gotham's Christmas season, causing the movie to become an unexpected holiday favorite. While there is a thrill of seeing Michael Keaton back in the bat-suit and Danny DeVito is a lot of fun as the grotesque Penguin, Michelle Pfeiffer steals the show as Catwoman. With her own unique origin story, Selina Kyle goes from timid secretary to powerful cat burglar who is easy to cheer for despite being on the other side of the law. From her memorable catsuit to her stills with the whip to her romance with Batman, Pfeiffer still remains one of the most beloved versions of the DC character.
Batman Returns is available to stream on Prime Video and Max.
24 The Ghost Of Christmas Present - The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Played by Jerry Nelson
When it comes to versions of A Christmas Carol, the Muppet's take on the classic tale is a favorite of many. Michael Caine makes for a memorable Scrooge and it is fun seeing all the classic Muppets stepping into the story, but a new Jim Henson creation becomes the movie's scene-stealer. The Ghost of Christmas Present is the second spirit to visit Scrooge and by far the friendliest. The forgetful giant introduces himself with boisterous energy and kindness that cracks even Scrooge's hard exterior. It is his enthusiasm for Christmas that truly makes Scrooge appreciate the holiday, and in that way, The Ghost of Christmas Present is the hero of the story.
The Muppet Christmas Carol is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+
25 Best Christmas Movies On Netflix
Between a unique spin on Santa and a visually stunning musical, there are tons of great Christmas films to watch on Netflix this holiday season.
23 Santa - Violent Night (2022)
Played by David Harbour
While there have been some surprisingly deadly depictions of Santa as a Chrismas character, none have been as likable as Violent Night's Santa. David Harbour stars in the holiday action-comedy as the world-weary Santa who has lost his faith in the world only to find himself the only hope to save a family being held hostage by a team of deadly mercenaries. The backstory of Santa as a Viking warrior is great outrageous fun, while Harbour wisely doesn't take the movie too seriously yet still becomes an effective action hero. The unconventional take on the holiday icon may become a new classic for the season.
22 Present - Spirited (2022)
Played by Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell has a more iconic Christmas character in his career, but his role as Present (aka The Ghost of Christmas Present), is the highlight of Spirited. The musical holiday movie takes a look inside the world of those spirits who help selfish people find their way on Christmas each year. Present is a successful operator in the job, but he meets his challenge when he comes up against the seemingly irredeemable Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds). Watching Presents's desperate attempts to get through to Clint while enjoying Ferrell's song and dance skills makes it yet another great Christmas character from the actor.
21 Ghost Of Christmas Past - Scrooged (1988)
Played by David Johansen
Another unorthodox take on A Christmas Carol is Richard Donner's Scrooged which takes a modern approach to the story, starring Bill Murray as a cynical television executive who is in need of a Christmas haunting. However, it is another instance of the ghosts stealing the show with the madcap take on The Ghost of Christmas Past being the most memorable. Depicted as a cigar-smoking cabbie, the ghost is a loud and obnoxious spirit who seems to really enjoy his job. The scene of the ghost taking Murray's character back to the children's show he used to work on and getting more excited than the children in the audience is a hilarious look at the strange character.
Scrooged is available to stream on Prime Video and Paramount+
20 The Old Man - A Christmas Story (1983)
Played by Darren McGavin
A Christmas Story is one of the most iconic holiday movies ever made. While the film is a nostalgic look at a young boy's hopes of getting his coveted Christmas present, his father, known as, The Old Man, provides many of the best moments. Constantly tinkering with the broken furnace and swearing all the time, he is caring but also stern, and overall a really lovable character. The pride he has with his iconic leg lamp prize is mixed with moments of hilarious anger as when the neighbor's dogs eat their Christmas turkey. He is eventually the one who makes his son's dreams come true when he gets him a BB gun, showing his soft heart underneath the gruff exterior.
Where To Watch A Christmas Story
19 Isaac - The Night Before (2015)
Played by Seth Rogen
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 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. The relatable fear mixed with Seth Rogen's energetic performance allows Isaac to steal the show.
Where To Watch The Night Before
18 Arthur - Arthur Christmas (2011)
Played by James McAvoy
Arthur Christmas is one of the best modern Christmas movies with its titular character providing a warmhearted and kind holiday hero for new generations to enjoy. Arthur is the youngest son of the current Santa, and while the title of the iconic gift-giver will go to Arthur's serious older brother, Arthur cares more about Christmas than anyone. However, when the new high-tech approach to gift delivery misses a child, Arthur is the one who takes it upon himself to ensure no child is disappointed on Christmas morning. Even though he is timid and clumsy, Arthur is an endearing hero who looks for the best in everyone and does his best to make Christmas the best day of the year.
Where To Watch Arthur Christmas
29 Best Christmas Movies Of All Time
Time to get into the Christmas spirit with a run down of the best Christmas movies of all time.
17 Willie - Bad Santa (2003)
Played by Billy Bob Thorton
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. Willie is a truly deplorable character for most of the movie, as he drinks, womanizes, and swears in front of the children. However, his gradual and reluctant redemption is found when he forms an unexpected bond with a young outcast. While it is too much to say Willie is a good person by the end, he shows he has a bigger heart than expected while also delivering huge laughs with his bad deeds.
16 Jesper - Klaus (2019)
Played by Jason Schwartzman
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. Seeing where he ends up at the end of the movie, and the touching relationships he has along the way, adds to the Oscar-winning Klaus' heartwarming story.
