Arnold Schwarzenegger trades the Terminator’s leather jacket for Santa’s red suit in Prime Video’s new holiday heist comedy.
Santa Claus has always been jolly, generous and a little on the round side. Nobody ever said he couldn’t also have the build of a bodybuilding champion. Prime Video has released the first trailer for “The Man With the Bag,” and it features Arnold Schwarzenegger as Father Christmas himself.
The teaser arrived on September 30 and was quickly shared across social media, with fans reacting to the sight of one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars in a white beard and a red suit. It also offered the first proper look at a project that has been in the works since 2024.
The film marks Schwarzenegger’s return to the Christmas genre three decades after “Jingle All the Way,” the 1996 comedy in which he played a dad desperately hunting for a sold-out toy. This time, he is the one doing the gift-giving, or at least trying to.
“The Man With the Bag” premieres worldwide on Prime Video on December 2, 2026, and pairs Schwarzenegger with another action favorite, “Reacher” star Alan Ritchson, in a story that mixes comedy, action and holiday spirit.
The Man With the Bag Trailer: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Santa Teams Up With Alan Ritchson
The story kicks off when Santa’s magic gift bag is stolen by a rogue elf with a grudge, played by Awkwafina. With Christmas suddenly at risk, Santa turns to an unlikely helper: Vance, a former thief from the naughty list, played by Ritchson.
The trailer leans into the odd-couple pairing, with the towering Ritchson playing the reluctant crook and Schwarzenegger’s Santa showing off some surprising figure skating moves on an ice rink. Together, the two set out to recover the bag and save the holiday before time runs out.
Prime Video describes the film as a holiday heist adventure about second chances and unlikely friendships, with the message that even Santa sometimes needs a little help delivering Christmas.
The Man With the Bag Cast, Director and Prime Video Release Date
The film is directed by Adam Shankman, whose credits include “Hairspray” and “A Walk to Remember,” from a script by Allan Rice. Ritchson also serves as a producer.
The ensemble cast includes Liza Koshy, Kyle Mooney, Jane Krakowski, Ken Jeong, Michael Cyril Creighton, Berkeley James, Murray Hill and Adrian Martinez.
Production took place in New York, where Schwarzenegger and Ritchson were spotted filming on the city’s streets in costume.
The movie is the latest in Amazon’s run of star-led Christmas films released each holiday season. It arrives on Prime Video on December 2, giving viewers a new festive option weeks ahead of the holidays.
