The 20 most iconic holiday characters in movie history

The Grinch is an icon through and through. From his green body to his distinct mission to steal Christmas, this rejected Who is as much a part of Christmas as presents and cookies. He’s such an icon, the Grinch has three separate movies made about him. 

In the decades since Elf premiered, the film has become as much a holiday cinematic staple as any classic, and it’s thanks in large part to its star character, Buddy the Elf. Buddy is the reason society has phrases like “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” in its collective Christmas consciousness. 

Ralphie of A Christmas Story fame has had generations of parents worried that their children will be begging for a BB gun for Christmas. The kid is a legend who is arguably most recognizable in his pink bunny costume. 

Many a character has been known as Santa Claus, but none have done it quite like Scott Calvin. The man, of course, was destined to become Santa thanks to his negative disposition and job at a toy company. Once he leaned into his destiny, he became one of the most iconic Santas in Christmas movie history. 

Not many movie characters have songs written about them, let alone Christmas characters. Heat Miser and Snow Miser are two of the most famous Christmas characters ever, thanks to their hit tune. Even those who haven’t seen The Year Without a Santa Claus can recognize the melody. 

Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer came into the culture in 1939 as part of a marketing plan, and he was such a hit that he became part of Christmas lore for the rest of time. Soon after, he began appearing in movies, and he’s now so famous that he’s transcended the films he’s been in. 

What does it say about society that so many holiday icons are the ones who are anti-Christmas? That aside, Ebeneezer Scrooge has been an icon for over a century. He was an icon of literature and is now an icon of film. 

Is there any Christmas movie kid more recognizable than Kevin McCallister? This young man defended his home and a toy store from burglary on Christmas two years in a row. He's a veritable icon. 

Hermey will always be an icon. Even if you've never seen his movie or you don't know that his ultimate dream is to become a dentist, you know that he's a legendary Christmas elf. 

Few movie characters have been as enduring as George Bailey for simply learning a lesson. Granted, what George learned was serious and relatable for many people, but still. He's a cultural touchstone. 

Clark Griswold will always be famous for wanting to host a traditional family Christmas. He'll also be famous for driving underneath a semi and putting up the most epic display of Christmas lights a home has ever seen. 

Say what you want about Billy Mack and Love Actually, but there’s no denying that either is a Christmas essential. Billy Mack is one of the best parts of the film, and “Christmas Is All Around” is a certified banger. 

John McClane is both an action movie icon and a Christmas icon. When it comes to Christmas action movie icons, it's him and Kevin McCallister. 

There are no arguments to be had over whether Kris Kringle from Miracle on 34th Street is an icon. However, you can argue who the bigger icon is: Kris Kringle from the 1947 version or the 1994 version?

Even if you find The Conductor — and all the other characters from The Polar Express, for that matter — slightly unsettling to look at, there's no denying that he's famous. And he should be. He just wants kids to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Christmas Eve. 

Jack Skellington is such an icon that people argue whether he’s a Christmas icon or a Halloween icon. We’re of the opinion that he’s an icon of both. 

If anyone is looking to make a new Christmas movie icon, the best way to do that is by giving the character a song. It worked for Frosty the Snowman, and it can work for someone else, too. 

Very little about Jack Frost makes sense, but that doesn't change the fact that this snowman is an icon. And if this version of Jack Frost isn't your favorite, there's probably another version that trips your trigger. 

We need more people like Arthur Claus in the world. And we need more people with Arthur's top-notch sweater game in the world. 

Love him or hate him, Willie T. Stokes is a legend. His divisiveness is part of what makes him so legendary. At least one Christmas movie needed a polarizing figure.