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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Timeline – The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday (2023)

Trace every key event in The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday (2023) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Bad Guys plan Christmas bank robbery

The Bad Guys are riding around the city, looking forward to rob a bank on Christmas night, taking advantage of the holiday when most everyone is at home celebrating. Their plan is to execute the heist during the festive season to maximize their chances of success. The gang is determined and prepared to pull off the crime amidst the holiday chaos.

Before the events of the movie City
2

Accidental destruction of Santa balloon

During a parade, the Bad Guys' car ends up tied to a beloved Santa Claus balloon, which they inadvertently destroy. This act causes the city's festive mood to plummet, leading to the cancellation of Christmas celebrations. The destruction disrupts the holiday spirit and sets a somber tone for the story.

During the parade City parade
3

City's Christmas canceled

Following the destruction of the Santa balloon, the city's mood drops so significantly that authorities decide to cancel Christmas entirely. This cancellation impacts the morale of the citizens, making the Bad Guys realize that their actions have unintended consequences on the community. It motivates them to find a way to restore the holiday cheer.

Immediately after the parade City
4

Plan to cheer up the city

Concerned about the festive spirit, the Bad Guys decide to try and lift the city's mood. Webs suggests replacing the destroyed balloon with a Santa exoskeleton she built, but the gang finds it too intimidating. Wolf proposes recreating the balloon, but their initial attempts fail as the recreated balloon looks horrible, leading to its abandonment.

Shortly after Christmas cancellation Hideout
5

Radio station heist for Christmas cheer

With only 12 hours left before Christmas morning, the Bad Guys plan to break into a radio station to broadcast Christmas carols again, aiming to revive the holiday spirit. Meanwhile, Wolf and Snake are stealing presents to deliver to children’s homes, hoping to spread joy throughout the city. Their plan is set in motion to restore Christmas cheer.

Night before Christmas Radio station
6

Wolf modifies the shaved ice machine

Wolf, eager to bring snow to the city, increases the power of a street stand's shaved ice machine, despite Webs' instructions. The modification results in a sudden snowstorm, but it quickly escalates into an uncontrollable ice storm that begins terrorizing the city, creating chaos instead of holiday cheer. The gang realizes Wolf's mistake too late.

During the snowmaking attempt City streets
7

Wolf admits his intentions

After the ice storm causes havoc, Wolf confesses that his intention was to create the best possible heist by bringing snow, not to cause destruction. The gang reprimands him for pushing things too far, but they forgive him once he reveals his motivation was to improve their efforts and save Christmas for everyone. Wolf’s honesty helps mend their frayed bonds.

Post-ice storm chaos Hideout
8

Santa exoskeleton deactivates the storm

Wolf uses the Santa Claus exoskeleton he built to deactivate the runaway snowstorm and ice chaos, which had spiraled out of control. The exoskeleton acts as a hero, calming the storm and restoring order. It then becomes a new city mascot and symbolizes the holiday spirit in the aftermath of the chaos.

End of the storm City
9

Ice storm aftermath and Santa's gifts

Once the storm subsides, the Bad Guys return to their hideout feeling unwell with colds. To their surprise, they find presents from Santa Claus awaiting them for their good deeds. This unexpected gift surprises and encourages them to reconsider their views on being 'naughty' and 'nice,' adding a twist to their redemption arc.

After the storm Hideout
10

Plan to rob Santa’s workshop

Inspired by the presents and feeling guilty, the Bad Guys begin plotting to break into Santa’s workshop. They want to prove themselves on the naughty list by taking on the ultimate heist, aiming to assert their villainous credentials in a final, mischievous challenge. Their new goal marks a shift in their motivations.

Later in the story Village near Santa’s workshop

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:13

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The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday

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