Christmastime is when movies about the joy of the holidays usually fill our television screens. These feel-good movies feature merry people enjoying the season, reflecting how we celebrate the happiest time of the year. But, as life goes, there are always those who aren’t exactly on the "nice" list and want to ruin all the fun.
We enjoy watching these villains get their comeuppance, but we also hope to watch them change. After all, what’s a Christmas movie without these unfortunate characters causing chaos or just being plain mean — and seeing how the tides eventually work against them?
So, if you’re in the mood for some classic Christmas movies with good ol’ villains to go along with your eggnog and sugar cookies, here are some of the most iconic troublemakers in Christmas films!
Jack Frost - The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause may not be at the top of everyone’s Christmas watch list, but Martin Short’s sense of humor and energetic portrayal of a legendary figure trying to become everyone’s favorite made the film nothing short of entertaining, no pun intended.
Tired of being cast aside, Jack Frost decides to take matters into his own frosty hands and steal Santa Claus' (Tim Allen) job. Through deceit and manipulation, he manages to succeed and turns Santa’s workshop into a commercialized nightmare. But, as with many misunderstood Christmas villains, it turns out that all it takes to melt his icy heart is a warm hug from a child. And just like that, Jack Frost goes from villain to...well, still a little chilly, but redeemed nonetheless.
Oogie Boogie - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
With a sack of bugs for a body, a delightfully snazzy yet disturbingly sinister attitude (thanks to the late Ken Page’s unforgettable voice work), and a diabolical plan to off Santa, Oogie Boogie is truly the stuff of nightmares. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas already has a creepy vibe from start to finish, but Oogie Boogie’s sadistic ways push this beloved Disney Christmas movie into a darker place.
Despite his iconic theme song, Oogie Boogie's Song, Oogie Boogie’s late arrival in the movie left fans wishing they’d had more of his creepy charm. But let’s be real, he may be the most wicked figure in a film full of spooky characters, but we’re all here for Jack Skellington’s disastrous Christmas takeover. Unlike the lanky protagonist, though, Oogie Boogie isn’t swayed by the spirit of Christmas. Instead, his skin gets ripped open in the end, with one of his bugs getting squished by Santa himself.
Krampus - Krampus (2015)
If you’re looking to watch something terrifying that features a menacing goat demon, Michael Dougherty’s horror-comedy flick, Krampus, might be the movie to curl up with during the cold weather. Just like St. Nick, Krampus only comes out during the holidays. However, he’s the perfect evil foil, since you wouldn’t catch him being jolly and giving gifts to people. Instead, he tortures those who are estranged during Christmas and drags them to hell.
Even without watching the movie, Krampus is already known in Central Europe as the demonic monster figure who “beats naughty children with sticks and branches.” The movie takes this folktale to greater heights by turning him into a horrifying seven-foot-tall monster that’s basically an evil version of Santa. Although it didn’t win over all the critics, the movie’s 2015 release helped spread Krampus' fame far beyond Austria.
Ted Maltin - Jingle All The Way (1996)
Ted Maltin in Jingle All The Way is everything we hate about those seemingly perfect neighbors who always seem to one-up you. Played by the late Phil Hartman, Ted is the perfect father and bachelor, despite being a divorcee, and he seems to have his life together compared to Howard Langston, who Ted believes doesn’t deserve his wife, Liz.
His intentions to wreck the Langston family home become glaringly obvious throughout the movie. Jingle All The Way does a great job of showing annoying villains their just deserts, as Ted Maltin ends up getting splashed with eggnog by the very person he’s trying to impress.
Scut Farkus - A Christmas Story (1983)
A Christmas Story’s Scut Farkus (Zack Ward) is the neighborhood bully you’ve probably encountered at some point in your life. From taunting kids smaller than him to breaking Ralphie Parker’s glasses just for the fun of it, Scut Farkus is the perfect Grinch to avoid if you want to keep your Christmas merry and bright.
With the attitude of a typical bully, it’s his yellow eyes, raccoon cap, and maniacal laughter that truly elevate him to Christmas villain status. Zack Ward, the actor who played him, shares that many still remember him for this role, especially when Ralphie finally stands up to him and delivers the justice that Scut Farkus had coming.
Mr. Potter - It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
There aren’t many characters so nefarious that they inspire another villainous icon, but Henry F. Potter’s greed and evil schemes are one of the reasons we have a Mr. Burns from The Simpsons. While Mr. Burns’ selfishness is played for laughs, Lionel Barrymore’s Mr. Potter takes things to a whole new level of villainy. His actions to drive George Bailey’s family into financial ruin just for his own monetary gain remind us of everything we hate about unempathetic corporate figures. It’s not even funny.
It’s a Wonderful Life is a 1946 Christmas classic that still holds up today, with lines that audiences still remember, including this one: “You know how long it takes for a working man to save $5000?” directed at Mr. Potter, who responds with little more than disinterest. A villain that’s rotten to the core, indeed.
Hans Gruber - Die Hard (1988)
The 1988 movie Die Hard is the perfect fix for your action film cravings. One of his finest roles ever, the late Alan Rickman’s interpretation of Hans Gruber presents a despicable villain who decides to pull off a heist during the holidays. Sure, it’s a questionable choice, but he’s the kind of antagonist you can't help but enjoy watching in every scene.
Hans Gruber has the charm and wit of a classic heist villain, with simple goals — like wanting a boatload of cash. While his motivations isn’t exactly complex, the cat-and-mouse game of trying to outsmart John McClane is what makes the movie so entertaining. It’s a watch you’ll love to revisit every Christmas season, even if it’s for the Christmas-ruining villain alone.
Ebenezer Scrooge - A Christmas Carol
It seems like we get a new A Christmas Carol adaptation every decade, and that’s no surprise. It’s a holiday classic that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. What makes Ebenezer Scrooge an unforgettable villain though, is how his personality undergoes a major transformation by the end of the story.
Ebenezer Scrooge is one of those characters you’ll surely remember when someone mentions a villain who hates Christmas. But beneath the bah-humbuggery and stinginess is someone who can truly change, and this villain is one of the few on this list who actually does just that.
Harry and Marv - Home Alone (1990)
Harry and Marv, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, known as the Wet Bandits are two criminals with contrasting attitudes. One’s more of a simpleton, and one’s a shrewd grouch. Despite that, both get outsmarted by an 8-year-old still in the end.
Home Alone is famous for the chaos that ensues when Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, is accidentally left behind during his family’s Christmas vacation. But it wouldn’t be that much of a classic without the slapstick humor the Wet Bandits bring to the movie.
The Grinch - How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2000)
With a heart so shriveled up that he can’t find happiness in Christmas, it’s no wonder the Grinch is an iconic villain we love to hate… at least until the end of the film.
Much like Scrooge, Dr. Seuss' hairy green recluse is another character who is closely associated with people who have zero enthusiasm for the holiday spirit. His plans to ruin Christmas by stealing all of Whoville’s presents are thwarted, though, by the town’s warmth — reminding all the real-life Grinches that maybe they just need a good friend to enjoy the holiday season.
Who’s your favorite Christmas villain? Let us know in the comments below!