Now on HBO Max, A Christmas Story Christmas provides the sequel to A Christmas Story featuring many of the same characters returning. It shows the original film's legacy and why it remains a genuine cult classic that evolved into one of the most definitive holiday films of all time.
The characters in A Christmas Story play a significant part if the movie's long legacy. Even the despicable characters such as the bullies and mean-spirited Santa lend to the charm of A Christmas Story, and it's why so many are excited about the long-awaited sequel.
10 Scut Farkus
This character represents every childhood bully that many kids had to deal with. The mean-spirited kid who likes to hurt the younger kids and gets away with it because he's older as well as bigger. Even his name sounds like that of a bully: Scut Farkus. The 1980s were filled with memorable bullies and Scut Farkus is definitely one of them.
He's the least likable character, but intentionally so. He's meant to be that consistent factor in Ralphie's life that brings so much suffering until it reaches that breaking point where Ralphie retaliates. Farkus helps teach the lesson that bullies are mostly just people with a louder bark than a bite.
9 Grover Dill
There's not much to say about Grover Dill; he's just Scut's right-hand man as a bully. Similar to Farkus, he's not some evil monster; he's just another kid, but one that likes to beat up other kids. However, the instant Ralphie gets the upper hand, he rushes off to tell on him.
He's not as unlikable as Scut Farkus, but that's not saying very much. If anything, Grover is one of the least memorable characters since he does have as many iconic lines or scenes as Farkus does, other than maybe his reaction to the big fight.
8 Schwartz 
Even though he's Ralphie's friend, Schwartz is actually not that likable. He's always trying to be a show-off, mocks his friends, and gets them into trouble by shooting off some of the most iconic quotes of A Christmas Story. Granted, most kids knew at least one person like Schwartz growing up, which is kind of the point.
Schwartz is not a bad person by any stretch of the imagination, just a bit of loud mouth kid who causes problems for others. It's especially noticeable to viewers as they get older and rewatch A Christmas Story and realize that maybe Schwartz did slightly deserve that punishment from his mother on the phone.
7 The Mall Santa
Most people can agree that dealing with kids for hours can be exhausting, which is why adults can get some joy out of the mall Santa Claus. He's tired, and he's always complaining to the elves, but immediately switches to a bright and jolly demeanor for the kids, trying to not ruin the experience for them.
Children watching A Christmas Story may not understand why this Santa is so sarcastic and bitter while their parents are giggling at some of the comments he makes. Over the years, this version of Santa Claus has become one of the most famous portrayals.
6 Miss Shields
As far as teachers go, Miss Shields is surprisingly understanding despite what Ralphie's imagination ends up spinning her into. When the class pulls a prank on her, all she did was politely gestured for them to hand over their items to be stored away. She doesn't yell at the kids or come across are cruel as a lot of teachers in movies are depicted.
Miss Shields even shows concern when Flick is stuck to a metal pole by his tongue in one of A Christmas Story's most famous scenes. In the end, Miss Shields is not a major player in the story, but she does prove to be one of the nicer characters outside of Ralphie's family.
5 Flick
Where Schwartz is the problem starter, Flick is more often than not the victim in situations such as the aforementioned tongue scene. Flick is often the one caught and tormented by Scut Farkus as well, which makes it easy to feel sorry for him.
The moral when it comes to Flick as a character is that kids need to not let themselves be swayed by peer pressure. Unfortunately, Flick doesn't seem to learn that lesson because he continues to be manipulated by Schwartz in A Christmas Story Christmas.
4 Randy Parker
This poor child is always crying out of misery, but more often than not, he is blowing things out of proportion, which ends up leading to some of the funniest quotes in A Christmas Story. Randy is the epitome of a younger brother still in his single-digit years.
Everything is a disaster to him, he's a picky eater, and in the end, he's just an innocent and normal kid. That's one of A Christmas Story's greatest strengths, it captures the dynamic of a regular family around the holidays almost perfectly.
3 Ralphie Parker
From his overactive imagination to his strong desire to get that perfect Christmas present, Ralphie is the epitome of a child at that age. Most kids can relate to the different everyday joys and struggles that Ralphie goes through, especially around the holiday season. Ralphie is written to act, sound, and feel like the average kid and that's a good thing.
A Christmas Story is meant to relate to kids as well as adults who what it was like to feel the wonder and joy of the season as well as be a bit naturally selfish at that age, or lie to get out of trouble or get in trouble for cursing for the first time. Ralphie is an iconic character which is why many are happy to see him again in the sequel.
2 Mrs. Parker
From beginning to end, Mrs. Parker cements herself as a Mom whom everyone has met at least once in their lives. While the father mostly sticks to himself or pretends to be bitter and curmudgeon, Mrs. Parker works more from the frontline to take care of Ralphie and Randy, and is a big reason why A Christmas Story is one of the most beloved holiday classics.
She's kind-hearted and caring but is not afraid to be a good mother and provide discipline when Ralphie acts out of line. As a bonus, she has her own hilarious moments such as a bitter rivalry with a leg-shaped lamp and fighting to keep her husband from prematurely devouring a Christmas turkey.
1 The Old Man
He is Ralphie's father and the significance of this character is more appreciated by adults who can relate to being the adult trying to provide for a family. He comes off as a grouchy guy, but behind his silence and stern nature is a good-hearted man who enjoys the little things such as his award, a fine turkey, and making his kids happy.
One of the Old Man's best scenes comes when Ralphie finally gets his Red Ryder BB gun, and the joy in Ralphie makes the father sport the brightest grin. Most parents want their kids or nieces or nephews to be happy at Christmas, so most adults can relate to the Old Man in that regard. In the end, underneath the stern face is a man with a warm heart who steals A Christmas Story.
