November 30, 2023
The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday is a 2023 half-hour Christmas-themed CG animated streaming television special based on the 2022 film The Bad Guys, which in turn is based on the graphic novel series of the same name. The special also serves as a prequel to the original film.
Directed by Bret Haaland, the special premiered on November 30, 2023, on Netflix.
Storyline
Set before the events of the film, the Bad Guys are riding around the city and looking forward to rob a bank on Christmas, taking advantage that everyone will be celebrating on their homes. At a parade, their car gets tied to a beloved Santa Claus balloon which they end up destroying accidentally. As a result, the city's mood falls so low that Christmas is cancelled. Concerned that their heist will not be possible, the Bad Guys set out to cheer up the city. At first, Webs suggests replacing the balloon with a Santa Claus exoskeleton she has built, but the rest of the gang disagree as it looks too intimidating. Instead, Wolf suggests recreating the balloon, but it ends up looking horrible and is discarded as well.
With 12 hours left for Christmas morning, they plan to break into a radio station to broadcast Christmas carols again —having been replaced with heavy metal music since the cancellation— as Wolf and Snake steal presents to deliver them to people's homes. Though the plan is successful, Wolf feels the need for snow to fully rekindle people's spirit. In order to do that, Webs modifies the shaved ice machine of a street stand, but contrary to her instructions, Wolf increases its power output. Snow begins, but it quickly spirals into an ice storm terrorizing the city. The gang reprimand Wolf's tendency to push things too far, but they forgive him when he admits that he was just trying to give them the best heist ever, instead of showing off. Wolf uses the Santa Claus exoskeleton to deactivate the ice machine. When the storm ends, the exoskeleton becomes the city's new hero and mascot. Through its microphone, Shark tells the citizens to go back to their homes.
The Bad Guys go back to their hideout, but they have now caught a cold and cannot carry out the robbery. To their surprise and dismay, they find presents from Santa Claus for the good deeds they have done. As a result, they begin working on a plan to heist Santa's workshop to prove that they belong on the naughty list.
Also See
- The Bad Guys (2022)
- The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist (2024)
- The Bad Guys 2 (2025)
- The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis (2025) (Shorts)
Sound Effects Used
- OMI, Cartoon FX - Record Scratch
- Sony, Screams Male 02 (Heard once near the end.)
- Sound Ideas, SQUEAK, METAL - MOVE SIDE TO SIDE