20 of the most cheerful holiday characters ranked

20. The Grinch

Okay, so hear us out with this one (because we know how this looks). We totally understand that even his name is the opposite of holiday cheer. But once the magic of the season finally warms his heart, things change for the Grinch.

And honestly, with the most recent Grinch personas we’ve come to know (Jim Carrey’s and most recently, Benedict Cumberbatch’s), we admit that we are more in love with this fluffy curmudgeon than ever before. Just watch this trailer and tell us you don’t love the grumpy Gus who envisions himself in the role of a professional figure skater.

But that’s not all that makes this one of our favorite cheerful holiday characters. There is also the fact that at the end of his story, he has completely redeemed himself and become a true hero. He ends up saving Christmas and reminding the people that he is just as worthy of love as anyone else is. Plus, he was never all bad anyway if you consider his trusty side-kick Max was always at his side. And dogs always know the good people.

Maybe it’s just us. But as we see the Grinch’s story come full circle, we really feel as if our own hearts grow three times bigger, just like his!