The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday

The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday

Year: 2023

Runtime: 26 mins

Language: English

Director: Bret Haaland

Echo Score: 42
FamilyComedyAnimationAction

To ensure their annual Holiday Heist-tacular goes off without a hitch, Mr. Wolf and his crew of notorious animal outlaws must quickly restore the city’s lost Christmas spirit. Faced with a festive crisis, the team embarks on a mission to revive the holiday cheer and save their tradition.

Warning: spoilers below!

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The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday (2023) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday (2023), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

The story takes place before the events of the main movie and follows the Bad Guys as they go on their adventurous journey through the city, planning to rob a bank on Christmas Eve while everyone else is celebrating at home. As they cruise around, their antics lead to an unforeseen incident when their car becomes tied to a beloved Santa Claus balloon during a parade. Unfortunately, they accidentally destroy the balloon, which causes the entire city’s festive spirit to plummet, leading to the cancellation of Christmas celebrations altogether.

Concerned that their heist might be thwarted by the holiday cancellation, the gang decides to try and lift the town’s spirits instead. Initially, Webs suggests replacing the fallen balloon with a Santa Claus exoskeleton she built, but the team dismisses it because they think it looks too scary and intimidating. Not willing to give up, Wolf proposes recreating a new Santa balloon, but the end result is so poorly made that they quickly abandon the idea.

With only 12 hours remaining until Christmas morning, the Bad Guys come up with a daring plan to set things right. They aim to break into a local radio station to broadcast cheerful Christmas carols again, which have been silenced and replaced with heavy metal music. During all this, Wolf and Snake break into homes to steal and deliver presents, trying to bring joy back to the children. Their efforts are successful, but Wolf feels that the holiday spirit is incomplete without snow. So, Webs modifies a shaved ice machine to produce snow, but Wolf, in an attempt to make the moment perfect, increases its power beyond instructions. This causes an unexpected snowstorm to unleash chaos across the city, creating an icy nightmare that puts everyone at risk.

The gang quickly scolds Wolf for pushing things too far, but Wolf defends himself, explaining that his motivation was to create the best possible heist, not to show off. Seeing that the storm has gotten out of control, Wolf uses the Santa Claus exoskeleton to deactivate the ice machine, which helps stop the storm. Remarkably, the exoskeleton becomes an instant hero and mascot for the town. Meanwhile, Shark uses the microphone embedded in the exoskeleton to urge the citizens to return to their homes and stay safe.

After their chaotic night, the Bad Guys retreat to their hideout feeling under the weather—literally—since they have caught colds and can no longer proceed with their original plan to rob a bank. To their surprise, they discover presents from Santa Claus waiting for them, recognizing that their good deeds during the night have earned them some kindness. This unexpected gesture sparks a new idea among the gang: they begin to devise a plan to break into Santa’s workshop itself, motivated by the desire to prove they truly belong on the naughty list.

Throughout their misadventures, the team demonstrates that even bad guys can have a change of heart and make a positive difference, especially during the holiday season. Their efforts to bring joy and hope to the city showcase themes of redemption and kindness, all while navigating a series of comical, chaotic events that lead to a heartwarming conclusion.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:13

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Holiday Heist Hijinks Movies like The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday

When festive plans go awry, chaotic crews must save the season.If you enjoyed the festive chaos of The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday, you'll love these movies. This collection features stories of lovable rogues and mischievous crews whose Christmas plans spiral into heartwarming adventures to save the holiday. Find similar family comedies full of energetic antics and seasonal spirit.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a group of characters, typically a found family of 'chaotic good' types, whose initial self-serving holiday plan backfires or gets complicated. This forces them to pivot to a new, often more elaborate, mission to fix the festive crisis they've caused or encountered. Their journey is a rapid-fire sequence of comedic failures and clever schemes, culminating in a heartwarming success that strengthens their bonds.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core combination of a festive setting, a fast-paced plot driven by comedic chaos, and a crew of endearingly mischievous characters. The tone is consistently light and whimsical, blending action-packed sequences with heartfelt moments about community and redemption, all leading to an unambiguously happy ending.

Movies about Redeemable Misfit Crews like The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday

A crew of lovable outlaws discovers their hearts are bigger than their ambitions.Fans of The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday will enjoy these films featuring crews of charming rogues on a path to redemption. Discover animated and live-action stories where groups of unlikely heroes, bonded like family, use their unconventional skills for good in fast-paced, comical adventures that are lighthearted and ultimately hopeful.

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Narrative Summary

The story focuses on the emotional arc of a group rather than a single protagonist. The crew begins with a reputation for being 'bad' or self-serving, but their actions are portrayed as playful rather than malicious. A catalyst event—often involving helping someone innocent or fixing a problem they created—compels them to act altruistically. Their success reaffirms their bond and redefines their purpose, though they often retain their mischievous edge.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their central character dynamic: a found family of redeemable rogues. They share a light tone where criminality is framed as charming mischief, a straightforward plot that tests the crew's morality, and a consistent theme of discovering that doing good feels better than being 'bad,' all while maintaining a fast, energetic pace.

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