10 Greatest Christmas Movie Villains Ever
2. Scrooge
He hates Christmas so much that his name is synonymous with seasonal misery. He may be the protagonist of A Christmas Carol, but behave in the manner of old Ebenezer and you can only be described as a villain. He may learn a valuable lesson at the end, but for the majority of the story, he’s a tight fisted, cantankerous malcontent.
A Christmas Carol is among the most adapted books in entertainment history. But which is the definitive portrayal? Alastair Sim’s frenetic performance in the 1951 version is perhaps the ur-Scrooge but the people’s champion is Michael Caine, starring alongside the Muppets.
In a just world, Caine would have received awards recognition for his turn in the top hat - his Scrooge is damaged and pitiable rather than fiery and bitter. He gives his all in a role he could so easily have phoned in, and his reaction to the death of Tiny Tim (as portrayed by Kermit’s nephew) is a showstopper. He even sings - albeit really quite badly.
Scrooge is one of western literature’s most famous creations, but creators have found endless ways to retell the tale. Whether it’s as a TV executive (Scrooged) or in reverse (Blackadder) or, ideally, opposite the Great Gonzo, the story is a classic for a reason.